Findings are examined from studies published from 1980 to the present concerning the effects of peer tutoring on mathematics performance. Findings indicate the effectiveness of peer tutoring in promoting significant cognitive gains for both the tutor and the tutee with populations of low achievers, mildly handicapped, or socially disadvantaged…

The transition process of young people with mental handicaps from secondary to postsecondary placements or employment are discussed. Drawing from the literature and service programs in Vancouver, British Columbia, new directions and promising practices are described. (Author/DB)

Evidence that Canadian teachers are not adequately prepared for the integration of exceptional students into regular classrooms is reviewed and two proposals for teacher education reform are compared, special education courses are included in regular teacher education programs and the other in which regular and special education are merged. (DB)

Evaluation of a checklist by teachers to rate 60 secondary level learning-disabled and nondisabled students for mainstream competencies found no overall mean group differences and no inter-rater reliability, though ratings on work habits did predict course grades for all three groups (fully mainstreamed, partially mainstreamed, and nondisabled).…

The study of the performance of 55 learning-disabled college students on the Raven's Progressive Matrices and other tasks found: (1) a negative correlation between visual-motor skills and written language, (2) a positive correlation between visual organization/memory and mathematics, and (3) a positive correlation between auditory memory and…

Discusses the use of the Work Environment Scale (WES) to measure teachers' perceptions of psychosocial dimensions of their school environment. Describes an application of WES in which work climates of different school types were compared and contrasted. (RJC)

Studied possession behaviors in 80 Chinese and American preschool children. Members from both groups took materials from each other. American children reacted more defensively to these actions than did their Chinese counterparts. Possession disputes were more likely to result in aggressive actions in the U.S. classroom than in the Chinese. (RJC)

Reports on a survey of 247 education inspectors who built a portrait of conditions in Nigerian primary schools from their visits to and supervision of teachers. Results suggest that many teachers are undertrained, additional classrooms are needed, and basic teaching aids and textbooks are in short supply. (RJC)

Describes a case study of exemplary mathematics teaching in an Australian first-grade classroom. Highlights a teacher's ability to integrate different subject areas, flair for communication, concern for children, and skills in capitalizing on unexpected situations. (RJC)

Investigated whether positive female traits were attributed to male main characters in six basal readers. Although positive female traits appeared in the male characters, the overall composite and depiction of individual characters indicate that male personalities are dominated by male-linked virtues such as independence and a willingness to take…

Reviews contents of the Fall/Winter 1989 edition of JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. Topics include: differences in the psychosocial work environment of schools; possession and exchange of materials in Chinese and American preschools; primary education in Nigeria; exemplary grade 1 mathematics teaching; and priorities for kindergarten…

The purpose of this study was to identify interest patterns related to high school biology. Eight task dimensions were established before testing. Findings include: the highest interest was in human biology topics and students whose parents' employment was science related showed higher interest in biology. (CW)

The purpose of this study was to determine the socio-cultural factors which mitigate against the learning and teaching of science in the secondary school. It was found that authoritarianism, goal structure, the African world-view, societal expectation, and sacredness of science have significant effects on the learning of science. (CW)

The purpose of this study was to develop a procedure for the evaluation of M-demand of chemistry problems. It was shown that dimensional analysis upon the Neo-Piagetian theory of Pascual-Leone could help science teachers to understand the epistemological basis of their discipline. (CW)

Described is the evaluation of an inservice course on biotechnology. Evaluated were the influence that the course had on teacher knowledge, use of practical work, problem solving investigations and theoretical aspects of biotechnology. A practical model of inservice evaluation is provided. (Author/CW)