Reports on the process of reform in a school environmental education program from the perspective of a staff member hired at a high school under construction. Focuses on the recognition that a swamp area on the property is an important curriculum resource. (DDR)

Describes the Science Concept-Vocabulary Acquisition (SCVA) model which promotes simultaneous cognitive construction of science concepts and the scientific nomenclature needed to understand and communicate those concepts. Contains 19 references. (DDR)

Discerns high school teachers' perceptions of and commitment to the contemporary goals of science education. Suggests that a minority of teachers hold past goal orientations and that secondary science teachers are moving to embrace current goals. Contains 31 references. (DDR)

Focuses on the challenges faced by one state's efforts at systemic reform. Evidence of changes in teaching practice and in student learning and the meanings that may be drawn from that evidence is detailed. Discusses five aspects of systemic reform that needed to be addressed and aligned, and the lessons learned in attempting to meet the…

Reports on the metaphors used by nine science supervisors to describe their supervisory functions. Findings indicate that the metaphors cohered into four distinct categories whose functions exemplify the supervisory models of manager, caregiver, politician, and colleague. Contains 19 references. (JRH)

Presents a contrast between bureaucratic and professional models of accountability and their impact on the science education enterprise. Topics include improving performance, climate of trust, principles and consequences, demonstrating acceptance of responsibilities, and feedback. Concludes that it is necessary to develop the skills and processes…

Discusses changing views of teaching and learning and the focus on various integration efforts taking place nationally. Highlights integration for relevancy and staff development and teacher inservice. Presents a rationale for an integrated science and mathematics methods course as a vehicle for enhancing future teachers' understanding of both…

Discusses various aspects of reform impacting educators. Highlights the infrastructural support or the comprehensive support system needed to bring about education reform. Focuses on the teacher as the key figure in the implementation of science education reform. Lists components of science education reform, characteristics of effective teachers,…

Reports on a study designed to assess the perceptions of principals, teachers, superintendents, science supervisors, and science education leaders (N=628) about the role of the science education expert. Findings indicate that the role of the science supervisor has emerged as a key element in the discussion of secondary science education. Lists…

Examines the results of a study that surveyed secondary science teachers about their needs and concerns. Discusses science teaching issues proposed by teachers and teacher educators. Lists resources and reform projects designed to help science teachers deal with these issues. Highlights reform and science teaching models, classroom management, and…

Explores the perspectives of two high school science teachers on teaching for conceptual change as they work with graduate level preservice teachers. Details the conceptual change model employed by the teachers. (DDR)

Argues that providing useful information in reducing the gap between policy and practice is the central issue in Science-Technology-Society (STS) education. Employs the use of telephone surveys to fully understand the status of STS education nationwide. The national survey shows a promising picture of STS implementation nationwide. Contains 21…

Presents three cases of novice teachers and how they make the choice between covering the curriculum and fostering their students' understanding. Recommends that supervisors provide opportunities for their teachers to identify their metaphors and associate them with their beliefs and actions, to make alternate metaphors explicit, and to support…

Presents a study comparing the understanding of the nature of science by preservice secondary science teachers in the mid-1960s and the early 1990s. Uses the Nature of Science Scale (NOSS) to determine teachers' understanding. Concludes with an evaluation of most items for which the responses changed dramatically in those 25 years. Contains 19…

Argues that the traditional paradigm used in teaching science and mathematics should be replaced by one which focuses on the students' own conceptions, prior experiences, and active participation in learning. (DDR)