Interviews with parents of over 80 handicapped children revealed common themes: coping; support services through a team approach; parent's advocacy role; searching for the best educational environment; characteristics of a good teacher; stress factors in family life; and parent aspirations for the child's future. Contains 28 references. (SV)

The incidence of students who had entered school early was higher than expected among 54 upper elementary learning-disabled students, compared to matched controls. Among matched controls, early entrance students had comparatively low academic achievement. Early entry students may be subject to inappropriate labeling and interventions. Contains 14…

The records of 4,886 students in 18 Ontario high schools revealed that, compared to traditional full-year schools, dropout rates in matched semestered schools were lower for general-level students and much lower for basic-level students. There were no differences for advanced-level students. Contains 21 references. (SV)

Traces the growth of a traditional classroom teacher working with children, aged 9-12, in an informal after-school drama program. Discusses dramatics teaching strategies, the use of imaging, empowering children to create, and the development of language through use in a purposeful context. Contains 22 references. (Author/SV)

A case study of nursing school faculty examines effects on organizational behavior of predominantly female staff, and suggests a distinct female view of the world and workplace. Major themes focus on importance of interpersonal relationships, with food, social events, support mechanisms, and meetings as facilitators. Contains 51 references. (SV)

Reviews "Sylvia? The Biography of Sylvia Ashton-Warner," by L. Hood. Uses a feminist approach to examine the life of the New Zealand teacher whose teaching methods with Maori children led to international acclaim and imitation. Discusses the dynamics between pedagogy and personality. Contains 40 references. (Author/SV)

Seven papers present research perspectives on how schools can nurture a collaborative relationship between parents and teachers to enhance student learning. Topics include the ways schools involve parents; the ways schools draw on home learning; programs in action; studies of parents, children, and teachers; and contextual and organizational…

This paper contends that the structure of American schools may be pathological; it may work against creating, maintaining, and enhancing caring relations. Caring relations, such as parenting and teaching, require continuity of purpose; school residence; teachers and students; and curriculum. Educators must plan for continuity to create caring…

The influence of positive achievement motivation was tested by analyzing data for 594 Norwegian sixth graders and 21 previously published studies, with simultaneous categorization of subjects on positive achievement motivation and test anxiety/fear of failure. Analysis of variance and multiple regression analysis indicate that positive achievement…

Six articles on the curriculum history in Scandinavian countries are presented. Topics discussed include the role of patriotism in Norwegian history textbooks, pedagogic text analysis, mathematical curriculum development, social influences on school subjects, and the history of English as a subject in Norwegian curricula. (TJH)

Examines teachers' evaluations by principals over a 10-year period to compare criteria used and determine whether movement toward research-based criteria exists. Finds evaluations to be neither professional nor bureaucratic, but rather serving ritualistic purposes of little help to teachers' professional improvement or to personnel decision…

Ten papers are presented that discuss new developments in school effectiveness research from an international perspective. Three papers discuss factors that determine school effectiveness, and one paper considers the analysis of data. The remainder of the papers report on empirical investigations of school effectiveness. (SLD)

Seven papers present international perspectives on the relationship between education and child development. Conclusions reached in research on developmental genetics, cognitive development, and classroom instruction are considered, characterizing the current state of knowledge with respect to the influence of education on achievement outcomes.…

The seven chapters of this special issue identify research issues related to sex differences and mathematics achievement in an international context and consider some possible explanations, including neuropsychological differences, learning strategies, and attitudes. Recommendations are made for educational policy, curriculum development, and…

The seven chapters of this issue focus on technical qualities of performance assessments and report the findings of systematic empirical inquiries. They add to the body of research that shows that performance assessment, although time consuming and expensive, merits the serious attention of educators. (SLD)