Decision making should be viewed as a deliberate process that can be taught as a basic classroom skill. Common myths and problems surrounding decision making are discussed. The purpose of initiating decision making opportunities is to promote creativity, not conformity. Five suggested steps for the process are: (1) explore the many alternatives…

Schools need more incentives to begin to produce more "thoughtfulness." As it is now they respond by "getting by" because they are only held accountable for minimal levels of achievement. Policymakers need to develop a different system of acccountability. (MD)

The article suggests abandoning a subject area approach to the rehabilitation of blind persons and proposes a generic approach that would teach transferable problem-solving techniques. Nine possible curriculum components include auditory interpretation of the environment, spatial concepts, tactile identification, and identification of materials.…

This basic skills resource tool for the teacher illustrates, through models and practices that are proven successful at state and local levels, how to implement the processes and techniques presented in BASICS. BASICS is a package of integrated materials developed to assist teachers, administrators, and counselors in bridging vocational and…

Educational gymnastics uses a problem-solving approach to accommodate multiple correct solutions to open-ended movement problems in gymnastics. A four-stage framework is outlined to help teachers systematically increase and decrease task difficulty in educational gymnastics. Answers to common questions about educational gymnastics are provided.…

The article argues that it is necessary to identify and teach mentally retarded students the work behavior that is essential for successful employment. To ensure success, students must have vocational and social skills as well as adaptability skills which help them assess a problem, set a course of action, and modify their activities. (Author/DB)

This book is based on the underlying philosophy that mathematics learning at the elementary level should be active. Children should learn through meaningful hands-on activities with manipulative materials, pictures and technology. More than 400 pupil activities and suggestions for designing more activities are described. Because mathematics is to…

Presented, in abridged form, are recommendations found in "An Agenda for Action," for special note by secondary school administrators as they carry out their responsibilities for curriculum development and coordination. It is felt that school administrators and curriculum supervisors often have neither the time nor the opportunity to…

Based on research and teacher experience, this resource guide contains teaching methods and activities that teachers can use in teaching mathematics to adult basic education and General Educational Development students. The following eight sections are included: (1) an alternative method for teaching percents; (2) unit conversion or dimensional…

This document suggests a systematic approach to the development of appropriate applied basic skills instructional materials. It is part of BASICS, a set of integrated materials developed to assist teachers, counselors, and administrators in bridging vocational and academic skills. Section 1 discusses the prerequisites to development of materials.…

This document consists of eleven bulletins which present answers to questions about research on the teaching and content of elementary school mathematics, K-8. The bulletins are revisions of a set originally published in 1970 and revised in 1975. Specific research findings on eleven topics are cited with selected references. Titles are: (1)…

Eight recommendations for school mathematics in the 1980s are given. These are based partially on results from mathematical assessments and other studies, and are intended to launch a decade of action in mathematics education. For each of the following recommendations, the document includes a short commentary and a series of recommended actions to…

This catalogue describes the nature and purposes of the Research and Development Utilization (RDU) Program, which was designed to improve programs in the areas of basic skills, career education, and inservice education. The RDU resource materials consist of 60 documents that cluster around four broad topics: (1) resources to help school staff work…

This book is designed to provide readers with an in-depth understanding of the 16 skills that employers believe are workplace basics. Part One centers on the economic importance of the 16 skills and provides a theoretical basis for why these skills are important. Part Two discusses the foundation skill, learning to learn, on which all other skills…

In a project led by Research for Better Schools (RBS), educators work with researchers to improve basic skills learning. Based on research findings relating the amount of time allocated for instruction and student achievement, one school made scheduling changes to reduce the time spent moving from one classroom to another. Other classroom…