Argues that state mandated tests should emphasize critical thinking, thus mitigating the concern that such tests encourage instructional focus on rote factual learning. Conceptualizing critical thinking as argumentation provides a way to focus instruction and assessment on types of critical thinking valued in the workplace. Illustrates how this…

Examines the longstanding argument between advocates of curriculum development and critical curriculum studies from the perspective of democratic inquiry artistry, highlighting the curriculum perspectives of Wraga (1999) and Pinar (1999). Suggests that the daily enactment of democratic inquiry artistry can help educational researchers by informing…

Examines relevant research from the educational technology and educational psychology literature that supports the need for more research into the relationship between learner characteristics (e.g., epistemological beliefs and self-regulatory skills) and performance in new learning environments, examining their implications for the use of…

Discusses the phenomenon of out-of-field teaching assignments, suggesting that this important, but long unrecognized, problem in schools remains largely misunderstood. The paper attempts to clarify two relevant issues: whether teachers' qualifications really matter and what measures of out-of-field teaching really measure. (SM)

The complexities surrounding the relationship between state content standards and improvements in student reading achievement are examined. A case study of one California elementary school reveals that its ideal outcomes--use of standards in curriculum planning and improved test scores--were complex, involving district initiatives, curriculum…

Lesson study helps teachers use collaborative peer insight and feedback about student responses to instruction to develop high quality lessons. Combining lesson study with collaborative action research, Ohio middle school teachers developed exemplar lessons in the four-column writing method and found that the method significantly improved…

Building on prior teacher workshops, online courses were developed to support classroom implementation of Ohio's English language arts standards by providing models of exemplary classroom practices and creating an online teacher community for sharing experiences and ideas. Although participants in the first course were primarily older teachers…

A teacher education course used photography, a city's school buildings crisis, and a focus on standards to help preservice teachers "see" how a broad range of standards are played out in the aesthetics and designs of schools, classrooms, and other educational environments. Such methods provide teachers with concrete tools for engaging their…

Two methods utilizing multiple regression models and correlation values were used to determine whether faculty salaries at Ashland University (Ohio) reflected salary compression, an unusually small salary differential between junior and senior faculty. Salary compression was not found by either the suppressor effect method, which looked for a…

In 655 schools in 27 states, the Literacy Collaborative aims to improve elementary students' literacy achievement. A trained literacy coordinator trains other teachers and provides in-class coaching. Systematic collection of data on every child and data utilization by all program participants support continuous school improvement and create a…

Summarizes research findings on a Tennessee experiment in small classes for primary grades--Project STAR (Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio)--and on similar projects in other states. Discusses effects on student achievement and classroom discipline, effects of small classes versus larger classes with teacher aide, costs, long-term impacts, and…

Examines emerging trends in teacher education, focusing on accountability, alternatives, and demand. Discusses high stakes testing for teachers, the impact of teacher quality on student learning, alternative teacher certification, the role of community colleges in teacher preparation, and the true nature of the much-publicized teacher shortage.…

Addresses four common barriers to academic writing and publishing: identifying appropriate journals that might publish one's work; making time to write; organizing information and the writing process; and continuing productive writing while waiting to hear from a journal, and learning from rejection. (SV)

Compares Angoff and Nedelsky methods for setting passing scores on tests. Using one of the methods, 84 college students were taught to estimate their probable scores on a vocabulary test. Estimates were compared to their later actual scores. The Nedelsky method was considerably less accurate under certain conditions, and both methods…

A Wisconsin program aimed to amplify the achievement benefits of class-size reduction by requiring supplementary pupil services, a standards-based curriculum, and related staff development and accountability. In one urban school district implementing the program, the program's achievement gains were marginalized by high per-student costs and…