Surveyed 132 United States graduate programs in science education to determine enrollment trends. Doctoral graduates, science education faculty (number, age, rank, and types of degrees), university financial support, and employment patterns for doctoral graduates are reported for the 35 largest centers. Results indicate much slower growth since…

Ideational pluralism refers to "disagreements which occur between teacher and students as to which facts and positions are acceptable when dealing with issues in science classrooms." Discusses why ideational pluralism exists; related theory (logical and philosophical aspects); rationale for addressing the topic; positive and negative effects; and…

Employs latent partition analysis (a multivariate technique) to reveal pre/postcognitive structure of freshman engineering students (N=70) taking general chemistry. Similarities and dissimilarities among high and low scorers are discussed. Arguments for use of this statistical techniques are presented. (DH)

Investigated the role of "a priori" ideas in planning experiments and data processing leading to inferences. Thirty-one students (ages 11-13) observed a "combustion/candle in a closed container" experiment and were asked to interpret sets of measurements. Findings, among others, show that children preferentially experiment on factors about which…

Propositions expressed by students during interviews prior to and after audiovisual instruction served as the basis for Concept Propositional Analysis (CPA) to assess cognitive structure. CPAs for two students are reported and aspects of Ausubelian principles are discussed. The method showed that new learning can be linked to previous…

Examined the effects different communicators (science methods instructors, supervisors, graduate assistants, and others) had on the attitudes of 25 elementary education majors toward science and science teaching, focusing on which communicators were perceived as being the most credible. (DH)

Analyzes verbal and figural student concept schemes for environmental issues through aspects of differentiation (number of categories employed), discrimination (range of phenomena involved), and integration (efficiency of organizing method). Results indicate students (N=28) use discrimination most and integration least and constructed…

Recommendations from British Columbia teachers in elementary (N=1322) and junior secondary schools (N=309) indicate strong support for emphasis on practical aspects of preservice teacher education. Practice in science teaching, techniques of science teaching, and lesson planning were rated highest. Laboratory safety, reading, and writing should…

Outlines initial work of the "Science Education Information Network" which employs a rapid response procedure for science teachers throughout North Carolina. This work includes collecting and analyzing educational problems and salary concerns. Indicates that the network is feasible and provides information for decision making at the state level.…

Investigated attitudes toward lectures, self-concept, and locus of control of Egyptian middle school teachers with (N=40) and without (N=40) professional educational training. A set of more desirable attitudes toward lectures, higher self-concept, and greater internal locus of control were found in the group with professional training. (DH)

Examines the possibility that part of the problem in the teaching of physical science may lie in teaching-learning materials. Selects 14 chemistry textbooks and 14 physics textbooks in Australia. Analyzes them based on learning theory and scientific literacy. (YP)

Describes the National Sea Grant Program and eight types of education programs. Examines funding patterns from 1976 through 1987. Assesses current status of education within the Program using a director's survey. Discusses some implications for science educators. Provides the conceptual scheme for aquatic studies and a directory of the programs.…

Explores how some of the work in the history and philosophy of science might develop a more adequate understanding of students' untutored ideas. Describes how students' views can be interpreted. Explains and discusses the merits of commonsense-scientific theory analogy. (YP)

Investigated is the impact on attitudes of prospective elementary school teachers of pragmatic, success-oriented courses in science as prerequisites for entry into science methods courses. A need for exposing prospective teachers to instructional strategies and experiences which are consistent with teaching practices and curricula employed in a…

Described is the biography of Paul DeHart Hurd as a science educator. Included are anecdotes from his high school story, through studying and teaching experiences, through professional careers, to present activities. Appended is his bibliography of publications, monographs, books, and papers. (YP)