Explores insights that may be provided by a situated perspective on learning. Considers the ways in which a focus on the classroom community and the behaviors and practices implicit within such communities may increase understanding of students' mathematical knowledge production and use. (Contains 22 references.) (Author/ASK)

Using standard data sources, information is presented for each state on the importance of rural education to the state's overall educational performance and the urgency for state policymakers to develop explicit rural education policies. The 8 importance and 11 urgency indicators for each state are presented in table and graph form, and…

Reviews an ethnographic analysis of Teach for America, a 1990 educational reform program that illustrates how underlying assumptions about "marginal" urban and rural students and their "deficient" environments solidify existing power structures, acculturate students to middle-class norms, generate resistance to teachers, and ensure failure to…

Reviews essays by Raymond Williams, which explain how, within the context of a 150-year literary history, rural stereotypes have been constructed and imbedded within a collective consciousness by a form of cultural colonization. Suggests that Williams' insights can help rural education researchers think outside the conventional wisdom that…

Examined determinants of socioeconomic segregation between schools in England and Wales since 1988, using school data on family income and special educational needs. Results indicate that segregation has declined since 1988, with variations in segregation and changes in segregation between regions. Results suggest that whatever is driving the…

Critiques the methodology used by Gorard and Fitz in their work on changing levels of social segregation between schools, arguing that their index of segregation does not reveal how patterns of school enrollment have changed over time, challenging their dismissal of the polarization hypothesis, and concluding that notwithstanding Gorard and Fitz's…

Responds to a critique of the author's work on the changing social composition of schools in England and Wales since 1988, discussing the critique's three criticisms of the original study, examining some minor points, and concluding that the original study is the fullest examination of the polarization thesis to date, with no really good evidence…

Investigated Ethiopia's secondary physical sciences curriculum, emphasizing practical work and describing intentions and realizations of the science curriculum in terms of that intended by policymakers and curriculum developers and that implemented by science teachers. Data from interviews, observations, and document analyses indicated that the…

Explores whether the basic song repertoire of vocal/choral music education majors is significantly better than instrumental music education majors. Participants attempted to identify 25 standard songs. Reveals no significant difference between the two groups, indicating that neither had developed a strong repertoire of songs. (CMK)

Examines experienced and inexperienced teachers' perceptions of band music content and quality in three experimental settings. Provides information about how teachers critique band music for curricular use. Suggests that preservice teachers may possess abilities similar to experienced teachers concerning decisions about mid-level band works.…

Provides an examination of the Swiss-German music books in the Luther Whiting Mason-Osbourne McConathy Collection. Based on research undertaken to learn about music education in nineteenth century Switzerland and its influence on U.S. music education. (CMK)

States that in two experiments, instrumental students with 1 to 7 or more years of performance experience matched selected target pitches within a melodic context. Determined whether melodic pitch accuracy was affected by location or duration of target pitch. Subjects erred most often in the sharp direction. Includes references. (CMK)

Explores the validity of reproduction tonal memory tests by examining the relationships among performances on an existing reproduction tonal memory test and several recognition tonal memory tests. Tested 210 fifth through twelfth grade students. Concludes that there is a moderate relationship among performances on the tests. Includes references.…

Examines selected characteristics of the editorial committee of the "Journal of Research in Music Education" (JRME) during the publication's first 40 years (1953-1992). States that JRME has progressed in gender equity and qualifications of its reviewers and maintained demographic representativeness. Includes references. (CMK)

Examines the effect of instruction in the use of specific rhythmic nuances on the timings of a musical performance. Forty volunteer upper-division and graduate students performed Johann Sebastian Bach's Suite no. 3 for Violoncello solo, Bouree no. 1, using a computer software program. Discusses the results. (CMK)