Evaluates the Predict-Observe-Explain (POE) technique that is used for identifying students' knowledge and understanding of science concepts. Reports that the children responded to the technique enthusiastically and the teachers were able to identify both their understanding and their process skills development. Concludes that the POE is a…

Investigates the relationship between school environment and science classroom environment in secondary schools. Reports that the characteristics of the school environment are not transmitted automatically into the science classroom. Concludes that the effect the school-level environment has on student learning is mediated by classroom process…

Provides an overview of some of the problems faced by teachers in rural and small schools and advances the need for inservice and preservice programs to teach special competencies necessary for teachers in rural communities. (SB)

Reports results of a survey of the teacher training offerings of 56 universities in states with large rural populations. Notes that although many graduates found employment in rural schools, training programs did not always incorporate the needs of rural educators. Describes needs, implications, and suggestions for educating rural teachers. (SB)

Reviews the literature of teacher preparation and inservice for rural areas, noting the dilemmas facing rural educators (multiple preparations, extracurricular duties, isolation, community problems), what colleges and universities can do (rural visibility, off-campus centers, curriculum expertise), and implications for colleges and universities…

A survey suggests that mail surveys may yield more accurate responses regarding important personal financial information than more costly telephone interviews. Increasing pressures to integrate studies of short-term economic impacts with analysis of higher education's impact on long-term regional economic development are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Presents an alternative instructional approach for helping learning disabled high school students comprehend content area instruction in regular classrooms. Combines the use of direct instruction and advanced organizers. Also identifies and discusses general methods teachers can use to teach learning disabled students successfully in regular…

Based on data on 8,203 high school graduates from the national High School and Beyond study, it was found that socioeconomically disadvantaged graduates have pursued nontraditional postsecondary enrollment options (part-time, delayed, and nondegree programs), even when data were controlled for differing academic characteristics. Theoretical,…

Used Q methodology to examine university students' perceptions of boredom in secondary school physical education. Identified four response patterns: fitness development, socialization, activity variation, and self-expression. Four types of conflict between learning expectations and reality accounted for perceived boredom: competition, meaning,…

Compared portfolio, performance, and traditional assessments of sixth graders. Found that authentic measures and self-evaluations were weakly correlated with or independent of performance grades and standardized test scores. Academic motivation was more predictive of traditional than authentic measures. Forty percent of students performed better…

Describes implementation of interdisciplinary middle school environmental science curriculum units and factors associated with successful implementation. Notes that strong principal support; structural components such as the teachers having students in common and a common planning time; a strong, intact team; and time for concentrated curriculum…

Explored Banks' stages of ethnic identity development as a framework for discussing young adult, multiethnic literature in graduate level literature circles. Interviews, field notes, videotapes, journals, and ethnic identity protocols indicated that using the typology stimulated quality discussions, and students reflected on their own ethnic…

Sixth graders received music history instruction regarding musical periods and composers over two weeks. They were taught in alternating weeks using either interactive illustrations of mnemonic keywords or realistic line drawing portraits of the composers as recall aids. The mnemonic illustrations produced substantially higher scores on students'…

Examined the impact of teaching experience on teaching efficacy. Preservice and experienced teachers completed a modified Teacher Efficacy Scale and discussed factors affecting their sense of teaching efficacy. Results found quantitative and qualitative differences in preservice and inservice teachers' efficacy beliefs. Respondents overwhelmingly…

Investigated the effects of gender, age, and ethnicity on the institutional, situational, and dispositional challenges faced by traditional age and older students in higher education. Surveys of 209 students indicated that most coped well with challenges. Older students reported fewer barriers than younger students. There were few gender or ethnic…