Among junior high school students at risk of dropout, 45 with cognitive skill deficits were taught using the Cognitive-Based Instructional System (CBIS) and compared with 27 controls. Teachers using CBIS felt empowered to engineer instruction for at-risk students; CBIS's reflection in action helped change their beliefs about teaching and learning.…

Basic skill assessments of 109 employees in five small manufacturing businesses revealed that 84% needed additional training in one or more areas. Applied skills needed more remediation than academic skills. Employers expected return on investment in terms of profitability, productivity, and flexibility. Some workers were affected by negative past…

Review of the 44th yearbook of the Council on Technology Teacher Education finds that it largely neglects many current controversies and studies, social and philosophical foundations, feminist critiques, and science and society issues. Its cultural limits are not made explicit, and multicultural and multidisciplinary studies are not examined in…

Secondary vocational teachers in Indiana (n=186) indicated they were motivated to improve programs by concern for students, professional growth, and desire to keep current. They believed that program improvement enhances professional development, but lacked time to plan for improvement and were skeptical about administrators' ability to reduce…

Surveys in 1993 and 1995 of German vocational schools found that graduates of both Traditional Dual Vocational Training Programs and Noncompany-Based Dual Vocational Programs were satisfied with program quality and their jobs. Differences in economic outcomes were attributed to the perception that traditional programs were higher in quality.…

Describes the Minnesota Tech Prep Consortia Evaluation System, which collects outcomes data on enrollment, retention, related job placement, higher education, dropouts, and diplomas/degrees awarded. Explains outcome measures, database development, data collection and analysis methods, and remaining challenges. (SK)

Six industrial-technology graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) with prior teaching experience and 11 who took a course on instruction were rated by 140 and 106 undergraduates respectively, with no significant differences in instructor effectiveness. Exit interviews with GTAs led to a recommendation that all GTAs, even those with prior teaching…

Reviews research and practice related to science-technology-society (STS) instruction. Focuses on STS-related instruments that reveal teacher and student beliefs about STS issues and teacher actions that result from those beliefs. Contains 58 references. (DDR)

Reviews some of the student competencies from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Argues that these competencies focus on data collection, analysis, and presentation and are easily integrated with science curriculum reform at the same grade levels. Contains 39 references. (DDR)

Argues that two theoretical components of a model known as the Conceptual Change Model (CCM) are beneficial constructs for teachers to use when helping students negotiate scientific discourse. Contains 34 references. (DDR)

Reports on the Quality University Elementary Science Teaching (QUEST) program. Focuses on changes in how teachers enable student conceptual understanding of science, how students modify their views of scientific inquiry during instruction, and how teachers value the use of technology in science instruction. Contains 42 references. (DDR)

Cognitive technical skills assessments, the Group Embedded Figures Test, Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking assessment, and a problem-solving inventory were completed by 15 maintenance technicians. Near-transfer problem-solving skills were predicted by cognitive ability, years of experience, and critical thinking. Field dependence/independence and…

In an information systems class, 161 students were taught using integrated media, and 206 controls received traditional textbook, lecture, and lab. The control group showed higher gains from pre- to posttest. Environmental, preparation, and setup factors possibly influenced the treatment group's outcomes. (SK)

One study surveyed 187 Kentucky teachers (36% agriculture, 32% science, 32% technology education); they rated importance of content organizers, topics, transferable skills, and delivery methods for biotechnology. A second study received responses from 70 of 150 teachers; 45 thought science teachers or an integrated team should teach biotechnology;…

A treatment group of technical-graphics students who were taught drafting principles using an interactive multimedia device to enhance instructor presentation of the material scored significantly higher, retained more, and had better attitudes than controls. There were no differences in amount of instructional time, but considerably more…