Reports the major points, conclusions, and effects of a study--expressly intended for members of the Mobile, Alabama, community--that examined the condition of public education in Mobile County School District. (JW)

This potpourri surveys research on various topics: neurologically based curricula, midafternoon slumps in student attention, accounting for contexts in research, feelings of powerlessness among students and teachers, further equity implications of computers in schools, misreporting of research findings, and accounting for media transfer in…

Conant's "The American High School Today" (1959) conveyed his confidence in consolidation of smaller schools into comprehensive high schools. The book sparked criticism. Conant's personal papers reveal that his breezy optimism hid doubts, frustrations, and uncertainties. The contradiction in his views foreshadows the turbulent 1960s. (PB)

Great science is more akin to great art than to mechanical routine. But the common view of science teachers and textbooks ignores science as quest and suggests any problem can be solved by application of scientific method. Revolutionary structures are products of creative insight, not of logically inevitable scientific progress. (PB)

Despite need for a high-technology work force, science education has deteriorated since late 1950s. Necessary correctives include more science courses, better science teachers, curriculum reform, more dependable funding, rewards for teaching excellence, and a national curriculum for science education. Business/industry/education partnerships can…

National Science Foundation reports provided criteria for identifying 54 exemplary science programs in the United States. Questionnaires and school visits showed programs characterized by locally developed curricula, less emphasis on textbooks, and outstanding teachers (average age: 51 years; degree: M.A. 30). (PB)

Teacher shortages and declining test scores and enrollments characterize the science education crisis. Teachers are blamed for the decline yet are underpaid; must be computer competent; and must teach increasingly complicated, relevant courses. Student science competitions, one-year teaching certification internships at full pay, better salaries,…

The range, complexity, and rapid increase of controversial knowledge about human genetics require that students be taught the biomedical facts and ethical dilemmas. Human genetics education thus provides an excellent opportunity for increasing scientific literacy generally. (PB)

A fourth-grade science teacher turns a classroom incident of flatulence into a wide-ranging science discussion. He advocates spontaneous, almost random, free-flowing lessons; exploitation of charged subjects (including death, sex, disease); and nonlinear, yet organically organized, purposeful connections of various subjects leading to satisfying…

Students' poor international standing, declining test scores, teacher shortages, and inadequate salaries are factors directly related to economic survival of the United States by threatening to create a nation of technological illiterates. Government must encourage total school effectiveness. (PB)

A survey of vice presidents of major midwest public universities reveals concern about rising costs in higher education. Administrators favored financial aid partnerships between federal and state governments and business and industry. Although enrollments are steady and public support high, legislators tend to ignore higher education. (PB)

Informational, diagnostic, prescriptive functions of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) are best served by governance structure composed of federal, state, and local members and a standing technical advisory board. Structure protects NAEP from undue federal influence and special interest groups, builds bridges to educators and…

Four educators agree the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) should ensure quality of teacher education, change and quantify standards, and increase its power. They oppose both NCATE accreditation of state departments of education instead of education programs and standardized teacher preparation programs. (PB)

Study identifies three categories of children's books of contemporary realistic fiction about Blacks: social conscience books (written by Whites), melting pot books (written mostly by Whites), and culturally conscious books (written mostly by Blacks). The latter are intended for the Black audience and form the core of emergent Afro-American…

The consequences of Australia's public finance of private education are relevant to United States policy issues: the effect of private school aid on public and private enrollment, the impact of aid on financial support for public schools, the impact of aid on the character of public and private schools. (PB)