Analyzes teacher professionalism as an outcome of collegial interaction in local school contexts, drawing on a multiyear study in 16 high schools. Data suggest that professionalism evolves within active learning communities but also suggest some tension between a strong service ethic and the technical culture within some schools. (SLD)

Compares a large random sample of maltreated children (n=2,219) to smaller random samples of the general population and children receiving social services to investigate the effects of abuse and neglect on school performance. School-outcome deficits associated with maltreatment are substantively similar to those of children receiving social…

Outlines a concept of political virtue, and consequently of civic education, that attempts to give both criticism and emotional engagement their due importance. Educational implications of the concept are explored in relation to the development of a sense of history among students. (SLD)

This analysis of testing as a social institution covers contemporary testing, from tests of integrity, truthfulness, and drug tests (authenticity tests) through tests of achievement, intelligence, and vocational interest (qualifying tests). It is argued that tests both construct social persons and control and dominate them. (SLD)

Addiss and Erickson's book should be useful to any art educator, whereas the work by Hooper-Greenhill should be useful to museum educators in any discipline. Both books work well as introductory texts or refresher courses, and the usefulness of each is enhanced through reference to the other. (SLD)

The authors argue that stability and change are in a dialectical relationship in the schools. The voices of stability, policymakers, administrators, and some teacher educators, focus on products of education; but the voices of teachers, heard throughout the book, call out for change and recognition of the hardships of teaching. (SLD)

Examines how multicultural education can alter the learning environment of a school and thereby influence student relations, attitudes, and behaviors. The author discusses study findings that show the need for educational theory and practice to pay more attention to minority group interrelationships rather than the interaction between the…

Uses case study evidence to argue that the emphasis on promoting teacher engagement in reform endeavors obscures the political insights of those teachers who resist reform. Based on study data, the authors reveal that school change literature overlooks the preconditions for reform--the restructuring of teachers' work--and suggest current reform…

Discusses the education of Eros and the allied powers of poetry and prophecy, and argues that poetic creativity and the capacity to prophesy students' best possibilities should be recognized as essential teaching competencies. The author identifies the theme of Eros and education in the work of John Dewey and explores Thomas Alexander's idea of…

Addresses the issue of how the centrality of virtue might be accommodated in dialog within common schools under the conditions of pluralism. Two contrasting approaches to moral dialog under these conditions are examined and rejected followed by a third approach, derived from John Rawl's conceptions of reasonableness and democratic tolerance, that…

Examines between-school variation in gender and ethnic inequality in course-taking of physics and biology. A multilevel analysis of 19,743 Israeli twelfth graders reveals the sciences are taken less often by underprivileged Jewish ethnic group students, physics is taken more often by males and biology by females, and gender typing is particularly…

Criticizes the "Five New Basics" proposal on the basis of the Educational Testing Service's Growth Study, which found that completion of core curriculum enhances test performance only if the student's course performance is very high. Concludes that the National Commission did not comprehensively evaluate current educational conditions and…

Reviews findings on factors that predict dropping out and relates these to recent recommendations for raising school standards. Identifies the adverse effects these standards might have on potential dropouts and discusses some ways of circumventing the negative consequences. Proposes an agenda for simultaneously raising standards and addressing…

Evaluation after two years of Project RAISE, a multifaceted program with seven community sponsors in the large Baltimore (Maryland) school district, indicates the effectiveness of using community adults as advocates and mentors in improving student attendance and some report card grades, but not promotion rates or standardized test scores. (SLD)

Argues that content standards that are aligned with tests are the wrong starting point for systemic school change aimed at improving teaching and learning and that national standards are the wrong vehicle. Policies should attempt to create a system in which community involvement, teacher knowledge, and equalized school capacity are starting points…