Presents the state of science education in Scotland beginning with a historical perspective, information about education, and a brief account of developments since the 1960s. Contains 33 references. (DDR)

Traces the evolution of science teachers' understandings of the complex process of judging standards of student achievement in Queensland high schools. Contrasts the Queensland system with other systems in Australia. Contains 37 references. (DDR)

Traces the evolution of national curriculum policy in Great Britain focusing on England and Wales. Provides three versions of the national curriculum for science and a framework for assessment and testing. Contains 83 references. (DDR)

Collected data from primary school children (n=1,059) to examine choice of drawings to communicate their understanding of technology. Reports that children hold a wide range of ideas about technology and although overall the drawings reflected this, sometimes they did not reveal the depth or breadth of an individual child's understanding. Contains…

Administered a laboratory process skills test to 147 year-5 students to assess their investigations, performance, and reasoning in biology, chemistry, and physics. Reports significant correlation between performance and amount of homework done and students' perceptions of several aspects of the classroom environment including personalization,…

Presents the case study of a university-level instructor teaching a course in physical science to prospective elementary and early childhood teachers. Concludes that the beliefs of the instructor constrained the enacted curriculum to an extent that gaps between the needs of students and the enacted curriculum were wider at the end of the course.…

Presents examples of poor and good instrument design in summated ratings attitude scales. Discusses underlying constructs, theoretical confusion, interpretation of psychometric findings, internal consistency, and dimensionality. (Author/JRH)

Uses case studies to explore the pedagogical reasoning ability of second-year preservice primary teachers. Reports that the framework provided in a problem-based science education course enabled the teachers to refine their reasoning ability and to integrate their science knowledge, curriculum knowledge, and knowledge of learners. (Author/JRH)

Explores the nature of multiple environments within a middle school classroom from the different perspectives of teacher, student, and participant observer. Discusses the activity settings of lectures and group work, as well as issues of learning and assessment. Argues that teachers need to adopt procedures that enable them to identify and plan…

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…

Identifies and clarifies an interpretation of scientific discourse that can be used as a lens for viewing problems of teaching science. Discusses why reform visions for science education are reasonable, desirable, and yet problematic in lower track classrooms. Presents data to explain and characterize lower-track science-classroom discourse.…

Theorizes the learning orientations of beginning science teachers and how these orientations interact with the structure of teacher-education programs based on a case study of one preservice science teacher's reflections on his experiences during teacher preparation. Contains 23 references. (WRM)

Reviews the literature related to the specific needs of beginning science teachers. Features programs and practices designed to support beginning teachers. Contains 32 references. (WRM)

Examines the effects of using concept-mapping activities in a physical science class for elementary science teachers on physical science achievement, self-efficacy, and anxiety toward learning and teaching physical science. Discusses implications for teacher education. Contains 54 references. (WRM)