This article reports on a team effort by faculty from a public school district and an urban university to create an observation tool to be used to evaluate and mentor preservice and inservice teachers' abilities to address issues of classroom diversity. The observation tool is provided, along with implementation suggestions. (Contains references.)…

This study surveyed public school teachers to investigate their theoretical orientations toward teaching thinking and toward two views about the nature of thinking (content-oriented and skills-oriented). Results showed that less than one-fourth presented a clear content or skill orientation. Most had mixed views about the two theories. (SM)

Presents a 21-item questionnaire that teachers can use to discover their personal beliefs and biases about how individuals in different cultural, gender, racial, and religious groups learn best. Answers for each question are discussed, and brief descriptions of two research projects testing the impact of teaching to various learning styles are…

This study examines the influence of a dramatic art-based history program for fifth-grade students on both their learning and enjoyment of history. The program, called "Performing History," reflects theories of effective use of drama in the classroom as well as successful ways to teach history. The program presents historical information as part…

The activity uses drawings typically found in textbooks, engaging students in physical and mental activities such as drawing, painting and figure completion--as well as finding missing words and answering guiding questions. The activity deals with three topics: the structure of DNA, DNA replication and protein synthesis. In this study we…

This paper assembles innovative ideas from several disciplines and offers an integrated discussion for improving TESL/TEFL curriculum design, specifically for individuals from peripheral social contexts and to address the global demand for ESL/EFL teachers. Overall, the suggested innovations serve to: 1) increase program accessibility to…

This study examines the impact of 2 professional learning community (PLC) classroom practices on the English Language Arts achievement of California's most at-risk subgroups between selected higher- and lower-performing elementary schools in a southern California school district. The conclusions from this study agree with the body of research,…

Providing suggestions on how to develop an age-appropriate schedule for guiding children through daily transitions, this guide serves as an evaluative tool as well as a transition resource book. A transition is the movement of children between one activity or routine to another. Children are in transition during clean-up, while waiting for group…

A 5-day workshop for staff of an inner city school addressed the teaching approach of the Lab School of Washington (District of Columbia) and covered the nature of learning disabilities (LDs), tools to identify unique learning styles of students, and innovative teaching methods for all students with and without LDs. Eighteen elementary mainstream…

A 12-week practicum was developed to improve school climate by using conflict resolution in grades K-6. Staff and students completed a poll designed to assess their concerns about the daily functioning of the school. The school's climate was discussed in light of how the student body reacted to the school setting, with emphasis on areas where…

This manual was developed as part of the New England Center Pilot Project (NECPP), a 3-year federally funded program focusing on the inclusion of young children with deaf-blindness within regular educational programs in Massachusetts. The NECPP provides consultation during transition to inclusive programs and offers technical assistance, staff…

This booklet is designed to help parents, educators, and communities facilitate parent and family involvement in the education of their children. Eight chapters provide: (1) a discussion of the basics of parent involvement, including the benefits of parent involvement, elements common to successful parent involvement programs, and types of parent…

Validity evidence was determined for an instrument used at a state university to measure student perception of the institutionally stressed importance of various professional traits and his/her performance of these traits. Subjects were 87 preservice teachers at the end of student teaching. Scores from the institutionally stressed importance…

The Oral Communication Competencies Assessment Project was designed to determine student communication competency across the curriculum, transferring skills taught in the communication skills class to authentic classroom performances. The 505 students who were required to make oral presentations across the curriculum during the first term of the…

This study examined the state of formal staff training and development in Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries by identifying what programs are offered; how they are organized, administered, and budgeted; who participates; and how training is evaluated. In February 1997, a survey was distributed to all ARL libraries; of the 120…