A review of 54 critiques published in the "Review of Educational Research" related to articles in the same journal suggests that these published critiques and rejoinders have had limited impact on the scholarly literature, either because authors don't know about them or refuse to accept them. (SLD)

This study examined two kindergarten literacy frameworks (environment and events) and their effect on kindergartners' literacy development. Observations, interviews, and pre- and postmeasures of literacy achievement indicated that students in the emergent literacy kindergarten made significantly more literacy gains than those in the reading…

Achievement test scores were analyzed in relation to individual- and school-level factors in a national sample of 10th graders (n=2,535) to investigate the relative importance of school and individual factors in determining science learning. Hierarchical linear analyses showed that individual measures accounted for most of the variance. Previous…

This study examined the effectiveness of an urban peer mediation program. Third- and fourth-grade students were trained as conflict managers to mediate schoolmates' conflicts. They mediated 323 conflicts during the school year; most successfully. Most conflicts involved physical and verbal attacks. Mediation usually resulted in agreements to avoid…

Reports a study that examined similarities and differences in perceptions of K-12 school administrators, counselors, and teachers about student self-esteem, and how they perceived their impact on student self-esteem. Surveys yielded noteworthy similarities and differences in their perceptions of student self-esteem and statistical significance…

Reports a study that explored the measurement of likely dimensions of commitment to teaching, drawing on commitment theory and conceptualization. Items from the Administrator and Teacher Survey of 1984 were used to analyze factor models of increasing dimensionality. Results indicated that a multidimensional measurement of commitment is warranted.…

Determinants of young children's mathematics skills (home environment, socioeconomic status, and maternal cognitive test scores) were statistically analyzed. Analysis of data from subsamples of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth indicated that all three factors, but particularly home environment, had significant effects on young childrens'…

Reports a study that examined the long-term stability of the construct of children's attitudes toward reading. Elementary students completed the Elementary Reading Attitude Survey twice over three years. Results indicated that children's attitudes about reading exhibited a consistent decline; girls expressed more positive attitudes toward…

Examines the attitudes, experiences, and practices of parents towards reading, and how this affected their children. Although many parents actively promoted reading at home, they lacked confidence in their abilities and expressed a desire for training and assistance. Discovers a need for greater communication between parents and teachers. (MJP)

Questions major participants in England's school system about the problem of increasing class size. Assesses several broad areas affected by class size, including children as learners, management of resources, decision making, and teachers' classroom practices. Discovers a general consensus of concern over increasing class size. (MJP)

Criticizes the notion that small British schools are incapable of adjusting to demands for more specialized instruction and other innovations. Although earlier research suggested this, recent data reveals a high degree of confidence and competence ratings among smaller schools. Many schools have adopted curriculum support strategies. (MJP)

Before analysts can assess self-esteem as a goal for policy and practice, they must consider the ideological orientations of those who use the term and the cultural norms that shape the debate. Explicit attention to the politics surrounding self-esteem is needed to evaluate the use of the term in policy contexts. (Author/SLD)

This article presents results of an interpretive study of the educational and career paths of seven women who have left the mathematics/science pipeline to research scientist in order to pursue a doctorate in education. Their narratives portray conflicts between their self-concepts and the nature of their chosen disciplines. (SLD)

The origin of the idea of systemic educational reform is traced, placing the concept within the context of educational developments in the 1980s and 1990s. How systemic reform is being interpreted and applied by analysts and policymakers today is explored. Systemic reform should be a useful step toward genuine improvement. (SLD)

Findings from a study of changes in the organization of 23 preservice teachers' knowledge about teaching indicate that student teachers reconstructed their knowledge during the middle of student teaching, and attributed the changes primarily to the student teaching experience. Flexibility and planning were the two key concepts that changed…