This study documents the mental representations of magnetism constructed by students aged 15-17 and attempts to investigate whether these display the characteristics of models with an inner cohesiveness and constancy; whether they share common features with typical historical models of the Sciences; and whether they evolve through conventional…

This efficacy study was designed to examine the traditional FOSS curriculum (Delta Publishing, Full Option Science System/FOSS, magnetism and electricity, structures of life, and water modules, 2005), and the new ASK/FOSS curriculum (magnetism and electricity, structures of life, and water modules, 2005), a revised version of the original FOSS…

A study of magnet schools revealed that they have become a significant part of the nation's efforts to desegregate schools. Most magnet schools are in urban areas and offer a distinctive curriculum. School districts began employing magnet schools in the 1970s to help desegregate schools. The federal government has assisted magnet schools with…

Pay for Performance (PFP) is once again gaining popularity within education. This study examines teacher attitudes toward PFP policies, and how these views vary by teacher experience, subject area specialization, grade level(s) taught, educational background, risk and time preferences, and feelings of efficacy. Data were collected through a…

During l978-79, the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) implemented a pilot program to develop a vocational assessment process for handicapped students from secondary special education programs. The evaluation was designed to help students identify their individual interests, skills, and potentials, and thereby plan for realistic careers in…

A study examined the effectiveness of the Westport Business Technology Magnet High School (WHS) in Kansas City, Missouri, after its third year of operation. Data for the summative evaluation were obtained from the following: classroom observations/site visits; interviews, dialogues, and surveys of WHS teachers, students, and parents; and the…

This paper presents findings of a study that examined the effect of termination of funding on a magnet-school program. The federally funded program was implemented in Forrest City, Arkansas, to eliminate racial imbalance in the elementary schools. The program was based on the assumption that with enough time and financial assistance, racial…

Specialist schools in Western Australia are central schools having a special emphasis in their curriculum (such as music or mathematics) but also offering the regular range of secondary school courses. They provide specialization for selected students of particular talent or skill. This study investigated the background and current nature of…

A summative evaluation assessed the progress made by three elementary magnet schools during three years of implementing a communications and writing magnet theme in the Kansas City, Missouri, school district. The program of communications and writing at the elementary level (serving approximately 250 students each year) was designed to provide…

This pack of resource materials is designed for students in Scotland, ages 5-7, to be done with their parents at home or with another student in school. Forty-five activity sheets cover 7 different areas of science: Air, Magnets, Moving Things, Light, Heat, Myself and Water. The pack also includes a leaflet for parent or peer tutors, lists of…

This document consists of the physics 300 provincial examination (English version), a separate "provincial summary report" on the results of giving the test, and a separate French language version of the examination. This physics examination contains a 53-item multiple choice section and an 12 item free response section. Subsections of…

The 1984-85 Magnet Program of the Fort Worth (Texas) Independent School District is described and evaluated in this report. General data and information on specific sites are included. The major finding was that the Fort Worth magnet schools were highly successful in providing for high academic performance, and moderately successful as an…

Express routing, under consideration by San Diego (California) Public Schools, is a form of bus transportation that picks up and drops off students at centralized points instead of driving through residential neighborhoods. This report examines other, similar districts' experiences in applying express routing in integration and other school…

As of October 2007, 54 interdistrict magnet schools enrolling 18,928 students were operating in Connecticut. The bulk of these schools are located in the Hartford and New Haven areas--21 in the Hartford area and 17 in the New Haven area. Interdistrict magnets also serve significant numbers of students in the Waterbury region. In keeping with the…

The fine arts magnet program of the Dade County (Florida) public schools was evaluated. These programs offer intensive and specialized fine arts instruction and serve artistically talented students in five elementary, two middle/junior high, and two senior high schools. Focus is on such programs at the Moton Elementary, Perrine Elementary, Norland…