Herein, we address the reformation of Ontario early learning. Over the next 3 years, all 4- and 5-year-olds in Ontario (Canada) will be able to attend full-day early learning with child care, before and after school provided by the Government of Ontario Ministry of Education. The benefits of such a change are both academic and societal and are…

In this article, I report on a small project involving the use of guided reading groups, levelled texts and running records in a multilingual primary school in Singapore. I focus on running records and ask whether their use is suitable pedagogically and practically for the Singaporean context. The analysis of 22 records of primary one and primary…

This article considers some of the major trends and factors influencing the role of Local Education Authority (LEA) advisers. Included are: studies of advisers' role perceptions, discussion of the dichotomy between their two major roles (inspector and teacher adviser), and issues in the size and structure of advisory teams. (SJL)

The Plowden Report drew heavily on Piaget's theories of cognitive development, especially his concepts of activity and discovery learning and readiness. But Piaget's theory is not a pedagogical one and it has little to say about teaching content and methods. Recently, criticism of his theory has grown. (Author/SJL)

The author reviews several government reports and other publications for their definitions of core curriculum and comments on particular problems of middle school curriculum: balance and articulation. (SJL)

To answer the question posed in the title, the authors assess the progress of primary science in Britain since 1964, reassess policies on science at the primary stage, discuss children's scientific ideas, evaluate the professional training of primary teachers in science, and make a few recommendations. (KC)

The authors highlight some of the findings of their forthcoming book, "Open Plan Schools: Teaching, Curriculum, and Design," which will evaluate open plan schools in England. These schools now comprise over 10 percent of all primary schools. (KC)

Presents an overview of factors in the development of children's art and a theoretical rationale for elementary art education. (SJL)

Reviewing recent British research and policy concerning preschoolers, the author criticizes the distinction made between "care" and "education." He advocates coordination of local services for children under five. (SJL)

This article examines some British classroom studies and raises further research questions on small group instruction (SGI) as a teaching tool. Considered are teachers' use of SGI; its efficacy for cognitive, language, and social development; and student-to-student interaction patterns in relation to seating, sex, and ability mix. (SJL)