There are not enough incompetent teachers around to warrant building evaluation systems solely to get rid of them. To be effective in terms of increasing student learning, teacher evaluation programs should focus on helping competent teachers become better. The individualized performance objective or job target approach can do this. (SJL)

Contemporary communication research suggests that students are non-communicative in the classroom because they perceive communication response/initiative channels to be blocked and many students lack basic speech skills that enhance effective, satisfying verbal response. Demonstrates how to circumvent these barriers and encourage instructors in…

Describes a strategy of successfully teaching about sexually transmitted diseases that steers away from the lecture format of teaching and focuses more upon the behavior aspects of learning, i.e., problem solving and decision making. The basic premise of the method, the processes involved, and the five stages of the process are briefly outlined.…

Reflects on the use of microcomputers in the schools, shares personal experiences with computers, and outlines a project to develop instructional software designed to promote the development of basic reading and writing abilities among illiterate adolescents and adults. (FL)

Discusses the "Philosophy for Children" program developed by Matthew Lipman and Ann Margaret Sharp of the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children at Montclair State College in New Jersey. Explains how the teaching of philosophy can also be incorporated into the teacher education curriculum. (FL)

Describes the introduction of microcomputers into a junior high school and the responses of students and teachers. (FL)

Argues that regular class placement is inappropriate for the special student because (l) regular classes are too competitive; (2) rejection by other students may occur; and (3) the regular class teacher lacks the necessary special training and support. Suggests upgrading special classes and seeking other methods of integrating students. (SJL)

Describes the two-day library orientation offered to all incoming sophomore English classes at Quincy High and Vocational Technical Schools in Milton, Massachusetts. Computer-scored pretests allow librarians to tailor the basic orientation package to the needs of each class. (SJL)

Presented are objectives for a continuing education program designed to meet the needs of foster parents. The author suggests that university programs that use an interdisciplinary approach and capitalize on university-community resources can design successful parenting programs for foster parents. (KC)

Two years after the implementation of Florida's Educational Accountability Act, which mandates statewide competency testing in reading, writing, and arithmetic, the author cites the advantages of the program, refutes criticisms of it and reviews the challenge to it in Federal District court, the Debra P. V. Turlington case. (SJL)

Describes the collaboration between a university and an elementary school to establish a writing center at the elementary school, staffed by university students (preservice teachers). Describes the crucial role of ongoing formative assessment activity for both elementary students and the university preservice teachers. (SR)

Finds sustained benefits to teachers two years after a summer hands-on science workshop for middle grades teachers. Discusses key elements responsible for the workshop's sustained success. (SR)