Appraisal Centers provide authentic experienced-based communities of practice for preservice teachers (PSTs) to show application of theory into practice at critical gateways throughout their elementary education program while fulfilling School of Education dispositions, course objectives, and state standards. A goal is to provide formative…

The studies and policies of the U.S. Children's Bureau in the era of Progressive education benefited many children, but its emphasis on the middle-class family ideals and relative disinterest in poverty issues left a legacy with policy implications in today's climate of welfare reform. (SLD)

Argues that assessment practices need to change in mathematics classrooms and describes an assessment system that focuses on broad learning outcomes, uses tasks that are aligned with instructional practices, actively involves students, and informs teachers' instructional and curricular decisions. The standards for assessment practices adopted by…

Reports on the results from a comprehensive review of instructional practices in reading and writing elementary classrooms in Chelsea (Massachusetts) followed by a review of the corrective actions taken via the Boston University/Chelsea Public Schools Partnership and their outcomes. Children's classroom performance in reading and writing is…

Describes the development and implementation of a successful K-8 science program in Chelsea (Massachusetts) public elementary and junior high schools with help from Boston University (Massachusetts). Research-based principles guiding the curriculum development and teacher training are highlighted. (GR)

Outlines a reform strategy for primary education that has been successful in several countries. The author discusses formulating the reform objective, deregulating the schools to allow greater flexibility for change and quality enhancement, and letting the market define standards and objectives in the competition for parents' choices. Sweden's…

Addresses curriculum and course design by organizing some important considerations of elementary school history and social-science study into a three-step plan for implementation that discusses the selection and organization of topics, their classroom presentation, and the resources available to help align the elementary curriculum with the…

Traces the centrality of moral education in public schools from the 16th to the late 19th century and suggests how the past can serve to inform and to direct the present. It reviews teaching methods and curricular materials used to transmit moral values as well as the views of influential thinkers concerning moral education. (GR)

Reviews and compares 10 character education programs, their objectives, pedagogy, and research, revealing their highly diverse theoretical assumptions and pedagogical practices. It suggests that emerging research in the field offers the hopeful promise that theory and practice may be advanced in a systematic manner. (GR)

Describes and critiques two approaches for moral development of elementary school students, the forming of moral habits and the developing moral reasoning. It is recommended that both approaches be used with an early emphasis on habit formation and a gradual increase in attention to moral reasoning. (GR)

Reviews the literature on school-based community service programs and examines community service as a means of developing student character within a group of urban Catholic elementary schools. It suggests these urban Catholic schools offer a model for other elementary schools, both private and public, in building student character. (GR)

Describes a comprehensive model of classroom character education in the following components: the teacher as caregiver, model, and mentor; the caring classroom environment; moral discipline; the democratic classroom environment; values instruction through the curriculum; cooperative learning; the conscience of the craft; ethical reflection; and…

Presents the personal history of Donald D. Durrell, whose research and teaching marked several generations of reading education research and practice, focusing on: early family history; the William B. Durrell family; high school education and early teaching; university education; career; related activities; marriage and family; and the…

Describes the work of Donald D. Durrell in reading research from the 1930s to the 1960s, explaining the theoretical base of his work (articles, texts, and monographs that he published over the years) and examining the research process at the Boston University School of Education (which focuses on primary and intermediate grades). (SM)

Describes the work of Donald D. Durrell, a reading research leader, focusing on his work as a teacher. Explains his commitment to improving school classrooms as well as to his own university classroom. Highlights his early teaching years at Boston University, his deanship, his full-throttle years between deanship and retirement, and his retirement…