The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of standardized teacher tests as demonstration of licensure competencies for diverse candidates in Oregon and nationally. The following four areas and their accompanying questions guide the development of this paper: (1) Why would a diverse teacher workforce help close the achievement gap?; (2) What…

This article addresses the democratic rhetoric taught in a Costa Rican High School and the ways in which that rhetoric clashed with school practices that revealed hierarchies based on race, ethnicity, class, and religion. This contradiction was rendered visible through student elections, the Independence Day celebration, and civic acts. Through…

Introduced varied learning style (LS) strategies in five stages to special education and low-achieving general education students, removing them in the final phase. Pre- and posttests of reading achievement in each phase and assessment of students' LS preferences indicated that students with LS preferences benefited from LS accommodations,…

Investigated whether Bloom's taxonomy offers item writers an accurate model for anticipating students' cognitive processes used to solve items on a large-scale mathematics achievement test. Seventh graders thought aloud as they solved problems on the test. Researchers coded their cognitive processes using Bloom's taxonomy. Results suggest that…

Investigated the impact of efforts to prepare average high school students for college admission, examining ethnic differences in academic retracking. A longitudinal evaluation of a school reform effort at four California high schools indicates that specific efforts to retrack general/vocational students into college-preparatory tracks offer…

Investigated the effects of cooperative learning on secondary students' mathematics achievement and attitudes. In one class, students used cooperative-learning groups. In a second class, students studied independently. Results from a student survey and students' chapter test scores indicated that students who used cooperative learning had…

Examined classroom processes in urban elementary schools identified as effective/efficient (E/E) and ineffective/inefficient (I/I), noting differences regarding students' behavior, motivation, and perception of classroom learning environment. Data from observations and student surveys indicated several classroom process differences between E/E and…

Investigated high school students' levels of economic understanding using the Test of Economic Literacy. Students' scores were analyzed and compared to national averages. The subjects students understood best were currency exchange, competition, and types of economic systems. The subjects they understood least were market failures, inflation, and…

Examined the effects of elementary students' placement versus nonplacement in inclusive classrooms on parent attitudes, student behaviors, academic performance, and self-esteem, noting whether placement in different inclusive programs would create differences in measured outcomes. Surveys of parents, students, and teachers and examination of SAT…

Investigated teacher retention and attrition by examining data from the 1990-91 Schools and Staffing Survey and 1991-92 Teacher Followup Survey. Results indicated that teachers with less experience were more likely to move or leave. Empowerment and higher salary were correlated positively with teacher retention. Appreciation of the intrinsic…

Novice to expert teachers were tested for ability to judge student comprehension from nonverbal cues. Participants observed classroom videotapes, completed discussions with and without feedback, and made judgments. Experts made more accurate judgments, especially with feedback; were more confident of judgments following feedback; and had holistic…

Examined a teacher-led intervention that used interpersonal and intrapersonal variables to enhance social relationships and adjust behaviors of elementary and secondary regular and special needs students. Teacher surveys indicated that the intervention had a partial positive effect on classroom social life and a differential effect on elementary…

Investigated the effects of mathematics methods courses that used manipulatives, technology, and cooperative learning on preservice mathematics teachers' meaningful mathematical content knowledge and attitudes toward mathematics. Pre- and postintervention student teacher surveys indicated that there were significant increases in content knowledge…

Investigated the impact of a multiple intelligences (MI) curriculum on elementary students, parents, and teachers. Classroom observations; teacher, parent, and student interviews; and parent surveys indicated that all respondents were very positive about the MI concept and about schoolwide implementation. Implementation of MI concepts was uneven…

Identified the effects of gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and basic skills performance on grade failure, course failure, scores on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills, and attendance of middle school students placed in behavioral classrooms. Computerized data from two schools indicated that SES and basic skills performance…