Presents the entire text of the Sandia National Laboratories report, "Perspectives on Education in America." The report includes detailed analyses of dropout studies, standardized testing, postsecondary studies, educational funding, international comparisons, and educator status. It also addresses future workforce requirements, changing student…

This review summarizes what is known from research about the limited presence of African-American teachers in U.S. schools. Reasons why African-American teachers are important and reasons for their underrepresentation are discussed, with a review of recent trends in the teaching profession. (SLD)

Research in the area of grade adjustment methods from the last 27 years is reviewed in the context of admissions selection and of prediction of student performance in college. Contemporary grade adjustment methods can often produce indexes of academic performance with greater reliability than that found with grade point average. (SLD)

An analysis is presented of a conceptual change model for describing student learning by applying research on student learning to the process of conceptual change. Four general motivational constructs are suggested as potential mediators of the process. The role of classroom contextual factors is also discussed. (SLD)

Procedures that could be used to assess progress in instructional programs designed to enhance cognitive skills are reviewed, discussing measures of the following parameters: (1) knowledge acquisition, organization, and structure; (2) problem representation; (3) mental models; (4) metacognitive skills; (5) automaticity of performance; and (6)…

The political events characterizing the start of a teaching career were investigated for three teachers who told the stories of their early years on the job. Data analysis reveals that their thoughts and actions are influenced and sustained in three streams of consciousness (biography, role demands, and school culture). (SLD)

Progress toward alternative approaches to research on teaching and teacher development is reviewed. The researcher-teacher relationship is the focus in discussing collaboration in partnership research. Organizing frameworks for the discussion are the authors' own research, a matrix of phases of research activity, and a matrix of issues in teacher…

Aggregate data on grade-retention rates for grades 1 through 12 from 12 American states for 1979-80 and 11 for 1985-86 were examined for across-grade patterns. A negative growth exponential model appears to capture a basic underlying pattern of grade retention rates. (SLD)

Explanations for varying emphasis on teaching for higher order thinking in U.S. secondary classrooms and teacher goals are considered. Responses of 303 secondary school teachers (teaching 1,205 classes) to a questionnaire about higher order skills and instructional goals indicate that higher order skills are more emphasized in high-ability…

How knowledge of children's thinking in mathematics derived from a cognitive science research model was used by a first-grade teacher to make instructional decisions over four years is described. The curriculum, teacher expectations, and method for using research-based knowledge are reviewed, along with the teacher's knowledge and beliefs. (SLD)

Task engagement and conceptual change were studied for 12 sixth graders in 2 classrooms where teachers and instructional materials provided students with extensive support to understand science better. Results indicate that some students recognize the value of science learning and demonstrate cognitive engagement, whereas others pursue alternative…

Aspects of physical education teacher education that 12 participants reported were instrumental in developing understanding of and commitment to a movement approach (constructivist and developmental approach) are described. Coursework gave students a broader context for interpreting field experiences, whereas learning through doing exemplified and…

In honor of the journal's 75th anniversary, the article presents a historical overview, highlighting the thrust of contributors over time, examining concerns for theory informing practice, and discussing how the original editor might view recent volumes. An appendix lists titles and authors published in the journal in 1920, 1934, and 1993. (SM)

In critiquing the Sandia Report, Lawrence Stedman faulted it and other revisionist reports for emphasizing trend data rather than quality and not acknowledging educational requirements within a democratic society. The article addresses the issues, presenting evidence from additional studies to argue that none of Stedman's general contentions…

This study examined whether students could learn counterintuitive science concepts by reading and discussing ideas. Ninth graders read texts, answered questions, then completed control activities or engaged in scaffolded discussions. Students who read expository text and students who participated in scaffolded discussion performed better than…