* March 5, Wednesday -- Teacher quality in California will be the topic of a UC Davis lecture by Patrick Shields, director of SRI International's Center for Education Policy. The talk is titled "Highly Qualified Teachers for All?: Defining Teacher Quality in California." Shields focuses on research and evaluation to inform policymakers on educational issues. At the school level, he examines innovative curricular and instructional approaches, the use of alternative assessment mechanisms and working conditions required to support these approaches. Shields' presentation is part of the Distinguished Educational Thinkers Seminar Series presented by the School of Education and the Graduate Group in Education. It begins at 5:15 p.m. in the Alpha Gamma Rho Room of the Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center.