Based upon the analysis of scientific references, the dissertation studies the problems of university teacher’s research competence formation in the educational system of the USA. It has been determined that the necessity of university teachers’ research competence formation in the USA is stipulated by several factors: social and economic (rapid growth of scientific technologies and their financial support, growing necessity in highly qualified teachers-researchers, growing state support for higher education in the aspect of science researches, rendering of academic staff, popularization of education as an effective factor for personal development in the course of a whole life), political (focusing attention on preparing scientific and pedagogical staff of higher educational establishments within country’s interests; American government promotion in conducting scientific researches at higher school to support national needs), pedagogical (the US high school modernization, forming a system of continuous academic staff training, reinterpretation of the content, technologies, forms and methods of training a high a school teacher in the process of educational and professional, educational and scientific training.
Establishment of State Classifier of University teachers at the masters’ level is conducted by the system credit accumulation and does not stipulate for a special research block for future high school teachers’ training curricula. Classes are usually conducted in a form of lectures, seminars, colloquiums for a small group of students.
Fundamental research training of a high school teacher is conducted at the level of post-doctoral program. It is typical for this level to constantly renew the studying content according to practice demands, to implement integral courses, to create multidiscipline programs, academic mobility, etc.
An important part in doctoral training at the universities of the USA is the process of thesis preparation – a thesis is a reflection of professionalism of not only a candidate but also an advisor, a department and a whole university.
The leading role in the process of writing a dissertation is played by the dissertation (steering) committee. The main responsibilities of the committee are to regularly report on the success and achievements of the applicant within the program, periodically meet with him to monitor activities, help in choosing disciplines, preparing materials and plans for comprehensive exams, choosing and formulating the topic of a dissertation research, preparation for the pre-dissertation exam on the research topic and defense of the completed dissertation work.
Linking line between pre-service training and in-service training in the stages of a high school teacher training is the practice of assisting master and doctoral students. Further research training of a high school teacher in the USA is performed in the process of improving education – in the centers for continuing education by Universities and within nationwide centers or programs. This process foresees the development of necessary competences for young and experienced teachers, temporary employees; advanced training programs are flexible and variable; research process is based on individual approach and “free choice idea”, it has a practical and self-oriented character.
Educational process at all levels is accompanied by information and communication technologies: computer and multimedia equipment, special software, blogs, forums, social networks, educational webinars, distance learning, WebQuests, etc.
The analyzed constructive experience of forming research competence of a high school teacher in the USA allowed to figure out a number of proposals on effective solution of the problems in the researched process in the national practice: in the conceptual aspect (providing continuous research training at different educational levels in the process of professional development, complex appliance of scientific approaches and principles of forming State Classifier of a high school teacher); in the organizational aspect (development and launching of flexible educational programs with a research path, expanding the list of research-oriented disciplines, facilitating the role of practice and scientific advising, introduction of the activity of steering committees, launching assistance, a high school teacher professional development programs by universities, buddy system, etc.); in the procedural aspect (applying different technologies, forms, methods and means of studying according to the demands of modern world and depending on the category of candidates and academic staff).
Key words: system of pedagogical education, teacher, high school, USA, competence approach, competence, research competence, scientific research activity, master’s training, doctoral training, advanced training, professional development, forms and methods, student, educational program.
