Surveys of preservice teachers in an elementary music education class examined their attitudes toward using multicultural and interdisciplinary materials and activities involving music, literature, and art. Participants also developed lesson plans introducing different cultures. Results indicated that participants had culturally neutral images and…

Two studies explored employment age discrimination for public school teachers. Principals nationwide evaluated hypothetical teacher candidates with different ages and focal positions. Screening decisions had a disproportional impact for older individuals seeking positions with perceived higher physical activity levels. Age discrimination did not…

This study explored the relationship between time needed to complete multiple choice tests and college student test performance. Examination time and performance for midsemester and final exams were measured. Results indicated that the variables were relatively unrelated. Students tended to use a consistent test-taking tempo on relatively untimed…

Researchers administered surveys to college zoology students prior to, and immediately following a study of evolutionary theory, to assess their understanding and acceptance of evidence supporting the theory. Results showed students had many misconceptions about the theory. Their beliefs interfered with their ability to objectively view scientific…

To investigate degree of variation in factor structures produced using different factor analytic techniques, two large data sets were analyzed using four factor analytic approaches (theoretical conventional, theoretical conventional-confirmatory, modified confirmatory, and pure confirmatory). Data sets included third through seventh graders and…

Total Quality Management is being implemented in American and British schools to improve educational outcomes. The 14 points of Deming's quality model and Porter's models of competition and drivers of cost provide a systematic, structured template to promote educational excellence and meet the demands of social, political, and economic forces.…

The personal and teaching efficacy beliefs of preservice and practicing teachers (N=626) were investigated. Significant interaction was found between experience level and school level on personal efficacy. Secondary teachers were more homogeneous in their personal efficacy beliefs and had less teaching efficacy than elementary teachers. (SM)

This study tested whether increased monetary support for education directly affected student achievement, examining the impact on reading achievement of increased financial contributions to South Carolina's public schools. State aid, district wealth, local expenditures, and administration allocations negatively impacted achievement. District…

This study investigated the concurrent and predictive validity of the Preprofessional Skills Test (PPST), a basic teacher competency test. Using data for 1986-1992, researchers examined relationships between preservice teachers' PPST scores and grade point average (GPA), student teaching achievement, employment interview scores, and postgraduate…

This study investigated the relationship of the graphemic features of words to reading comprehension in students ages 6-12 who completed reading/decoding and reading comprehension testing. The relationship between word recognition and comprehension was high but dropped slightly for older children. (SM)

This study used concept maps to investigate changes in beliefs regarding teacher effectiveness as students progressed through student teaching. Participants created maps at the beginning and end of their practicum, which enabled them to examine their beliefs and were helpful to their supervisor. Postmap, but not premap, characteristics moderately…

Used case studies and constant comparative method to describe classroom management practices of educators in a nontraditional, integrative middle school. Emerging themes of salient dimensions of management were: (1) managing content for integrative teaching and learning; (2) rethinking power relations; (3) managing alternative teacher and student…

Examined beliefs and practices of middle level principals and teachers related to cooperative learning. Found that cooperative learning as practiced was inconsistent with beliefs about the strategy's potency. Subjects were uncertain about cooperative-learning strategies, used cooperative learning to supplement traditional instruction rather than…

Examined the reflective writing in English language arts portfolios of 11 young adolescent girls attending an alternative, single-sex school. Found that girls often distorted their literacy accomplishments and disclaimed and devalued their achievements. They tended to silence themselves, use literacy to stay connected to family and friends, and…

Examined learning in science concepts, process, application, creativity, attitude, and world view of students participating in the Iowa-Scope, Sequence, and Coordination (SS&C) project, part of the national reform effort using the Science-Technology-Society approach and Constructivist teaching practices. Found significant differences in learning…