Proposes a theory of cognitive processes in doing and learning place value arithmetic. Discusses a computer model that simulates the learning of multicolumn subtraction under one-on-one tutoring to measure the relative difficulty of two methods of subtraction. The model predicts that regrouping is more difficult to learn than an alternative…

Reacts to Ohlsson, Ernst, and Rees' paper by initially discussing the costs of methodology that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to model cognitive processes. Raises three concerns with the paper: insufficient clarification of the meaning of conceptual versus procedural understanding of base-10 subtraction; realism of the learning model; and…

Responds individually to Shoenfeld's objections that Ohlsson, Ernst, and Rees' model is unclear; that the hypotheses about learning are unjustified; that the models have not been tested against extant data; and that it is unclear whom the model models. (MDH)

Evaluates the "expanding environments" approach to social studies education. Argues that the sequence fails to portray the political environment realistically. Suggests an alternative approach that would bring all political organization levels together at each grade level. Concludes that such an approach would give students a more accurate idea of…

Describes one fifth grade teacher's approach to the teaching of U.S. history. Reveals that the teacher limited breadth of coverage in favor of an approach that sought to connect themes and facts. Explains that the teacher incorporated language arts teaching, storytelling, writing assignments, and cooperative learning activities. (SG)

Discusses the 1916 Committee on Social Studies report. Describes the preparation of the report, who was involved and some of the social welfare and efficiency ideas of its authors. Observes that the report culminated in the introduction of the social studies into the U.S. secondary school curriculum. (SG)

Describes results of a study of how eight social studies teachers use computer databases in social studies instruction. Examines how students employ the databases in problem solving, what they learn, and what factors held and hinder the process. Discusses the effects of time constraints, prior student knowledge, cooperative learning, and…

Introduces this special issue on the construction of a federal policy-impact code for classifying the nation's rural school districts. Despite the diversity in rural areas, rural education issues are somehow unique. The goal is to adequately reflect the impact of government education policies upon rural schooling. (KS)

Reviews the ongoing efforts to profile the nation's elementary and secondary schools. The efforts will be incomplete unless new approaches address the diversity in the rural component of the public school universe. Discusses definitional, conceptual, methodological, and policy-application issues related to the task of constructing a federal…

Examines economic, social, and fiscal indicators available from federal data sources that can be used in classification systems for rural school districts. Compares the strengths and weaknesses of the various indicators. Recommends that researchers use multiple indicators or alternative data sources to mitigate potential problems of unintentional…

Interrelates school and district data files from the National Center for Educational Statistics with county demographic files and county typologies from the Economic Research Service. Explores the usefulness of cross-tabulating rural versus urban status with metropolitan versus nonmetropolitan status as contextual categories for understanding the…

Concludes that the three main articles in this issue represent a significant milestone in defining rural education. Points out that measuring the effectiveness of rural schools will be more difficult and that federal policy should provide resources for the development of alternative rural school models. A defensible classification system needs to…

Responds to the three main articles in this issue with questions concerning the development and use of policy-impact codes (rural-urban classification systems) for specific purposes in policymaking, research, and practice. Questions the necessity for policy-impact codes to ensure equity, adequacy, responsiveness, and appropriateness of rural…

Data compiled from kindergartners' writing samples, records of kindergartners' social interactions, and interviews of kindergartners indicated that teacher behavior, student interactions, classroom materials and environment, and student perspectives on journal writing influenced student choice of topics for journal writing. (ME)

Examined kindergartners' behaviors while taking, and before and after taking, an achievement test. Qualitative observations indicated that children's behaviors during testing were not typical of their behaviors before and after testing. Quantitative observations indicated that children exhibited more stress behaviors during the testing than before…