While there is little doubt that engaging in musical or mathematical activities stimulates brain activity at high levels and that increased student involvement fosters a greater learning environment, questions remain about whether musical ability and mathematics performance are related. This study took a qualitative approach that allowed 24 high…

The current laws that mandate special education originated through the advocacy of families (Turnbull & Turnbull, 1990). Over the years, families have challenged the system to provide free and appropriate public educations for their children. We share, through qualitative measures, the experiences of one African American family and the educators…

Blended learning has become a prominent method of course content delivery in higher education. Researchers have found that motivation, communication, and course design are three factors that contribute to the overall success of blended learning courses and students' satisfaction with blended learning courses. This qualitative study also found that…

This study analyzed coaching conversations and interviews of four coach/teacher partnerships for specific ways in which kindergarten and first-grade teachers, and coaches, conceptualized instructional scaffolding for guided reading. Interview transcripts were coded for coaches' and teachers' specific hypotheses/ ideas regarding instructional…

Preparing "highly qualified" special educators that can effectively partner with the parents of students with disabilities is proving to be a daunting task, though widely acknowledged as essential in special education. This descriptive study examines the experience of instructors co-teaching a special education course focused on…

Elementary education faculty at this university embedded a Teacher Work Sample (TWS) performance-based assessment into the student teaching experience to assess candidates' ability to impact student learning as required by recent accreditation reforms. The authors conducted an internal evaluation of the TWS for the purposes of strengthening not…

A Focus Group Interview (FGI) involves 6-9 people guided through a pre-thought line of questioning for 1-2 hours by a trained Moderator. The Moderator gives participants the opportunity to express ideas, thoughts, and views. This is a robust qualitative data collection method IF there is a skilled FGI Moderator. The Moderator sets the tone,…

The authors used qualitative methods to examine a high school summer arts program in the Midwest, and researched how the program promotes the creative and aesthetic development of students and teachers, as well as an appreciation for cultural and environmental diversity and conservation. We argue the program provides a space, both physical and…

An experienced mathematics teacher in a rural high school in the United States was studied as she first implemented a reform calculus curriculum. Her instruction was compared to her previous practice using a curriculum not constructed with the reform movement in mind. Despite her early attempts to make her instructions more student-centered, the…

Interview with three Ohio directors of Reading Recovery, an intervention that accelerates the literacy acquisition of low-achieving first-grade readers. Discusses the dramatic growth of the program since its pilot year, 1984-85; how Reading Recovery differs from traditional remedial reading programs; the program's theoretical underpinnings and…

Interview with H. Jerome Freiberg discusses the Consistency Management and Cooperative Discipline program, which encourages students to become "citizens" of their classroom and take responsibility for its academic and social environment. Recommends ways to improve the environment in urban schools and describes Freiberg's work with psychologist…

Carolyn Evertson discusses the importance of forging links between the teacher preparation institution and the world of practice; skills that make a good mentor; the inaccessibility of educational research and its inability to affect educational policy; new directions in classroom management; and the need to work with students, parents, and…

Responses of nine leaders of education to the following two questions: (1) What are the two most critical issues in K-12 education that should be addressed in the next five years? (2) Why do you think they are the most critical? (TD)

Bloom discusses mastery learning and automaticity. Automaticity involves a skill that is so overlearned that it becomes almost automatic. Automaticity is central to the work of talented individuals but requires tremendous time to develop and maintain. (KS)

Slavin discusses cooperative learning and the "best evidence" approach to research synthesis. Critiques Benjamin Bloom's mastery learning, Madeline Hunter's program, and expert-novice studies. Introduces his current program called "Success for All," which targets early childhood education and stresses success the first time children are taught.…