Argues that systematic study of school administrators' activities could be valuable in refining development models. Reviews North American, Australian, and British research on elementary school management. States organizational demands on leadership increase as schools become more complex. Observes that British primary school heads lack a reliable…

Discusses a study of the effects of a schoolwide behavior management program on Australian elementary school teachers' use of encouragement. Concludes that, although teacher encouragement of students increased during the program, encouragement levels reduced following the intervention's withdrawal. Calls for further research into the effects of…

Presents a study of Atlanta, Georgia, teacher's perceptions of the purposes of education and how those perceptions relate to the reform literature of the 1980s. Concludes that teachers generally agree with reformers and differ over educational purpose, as does the reform literature. Reports some effort among teachers to synthesize disparate views.…

Presents results of a curriculum innovation in a British inner-city school. Reports a revival of motivation and a successful educational experience for a group of students who had been expected to fail. Describes a program in which all students could participate in helping anyone they felt needed help. Discusses work experience, community service,…

Discusses cooperative learning methods for promoting promoting students' peer interaction, self-esteem, interdependence, and academic advancement. Concentrates on the jigsaw method and peer interdependence. Includes discussion of prejudice and the encouragement of interracial contact. Concludes that working toward a common goal should help to…

Discusses the subjectivity, reliability, and musical validity of both holistic and segmented assessment of musical performance. Summarizes an experiment investigating the extent to which holistic assessment can be accounted for by means of a segmented grading system. Concludes that, although a single grade provides limited information about…

Presents study results of relationships between adolescents' perceptions of family and school environments and measures of their creativity, morality, and self-concept. Reports parallel forms of environment schedules to assess the social psychological contexts of families and schools. Concludes that self-concept, morality, and creativity have…

Maintains that professional development based on competency-based education and training is growing. Reviews postsecondary inservice teacher education programs. Argues that democratic traditions in teaching and learning should be included in professional development programs. (CFR)

Reports on a study of 29 secondary school student teachers to determine their views about their student teaching experience. Finds that students received variable levels of support from student teaching supervisors and cooperating teachers. Discovers students valued school-based work, but not wholly school-based courses. (CFR)

Reports on a study of views of friendship among 20 5- and 6-year-old British students. Finds that boys and girls were able to interpret friendships as transactions. Also finds differences between boys and girls on their understanding of "bad friends." (CFR)

Reports on a study of educational policies toward special needs students presented in 60 British secondary school brochures or prospectuses. Analyzes the brochures in terms of production quality and content. Finds that these brochures omit references to special needs students more than elementary school brochures do. (CFR)

Describes the controversy about the role and activities of the National Council for Vocational Qualifications (England). Discusses the primary weaknesses of the council and its competency-based education and training strategies. Suggests that the only solution may be to abolish the present system of academic and vocational qualifications. (CFR)

Relates that, in the past two decades, Paulo Friere's philosophy has gained adherents in Brazil and several other nations. Reviews Friere's methods of adult literacy education and identifies serious criticisms. Argues that, while the Freirean system is nondialogical and impositional, his literacy efforts were ultimately worthwhile. (CFR)

Reports on a study about the general rule structures in 24 British primary schools and the systems of sanctions and rewards used to maintain them. Finds that all primary school teachers were considered responsible for rules being kept and that primary schools use fewer sanctions when rules are broken. (CFR)

Reports on a study comparing social characteristics of 13 British male secondary-school students with high levels of interest in and use of computers with those of 14 students who lacked interest in computers. Finds that computer-using students were not less sociable than their peers. (CFR)