A study was conducted in a middle to upper class neighborhood in a Minnesota city to determine the practices that the Spanish teacher used to encourage full student participation and to consider whether the Freirian view of education can furnish an adequate framework for understanding this teacher's practices. Of the school's more than 500…

A project was conducted to develop mechanisms for stimulating demand for continuing professional development (CPD) among young professionals in North West England. A mixed sample of 154 young professionals were surveyed; they engaged in a range of development activities, including 20 regional seminars that were attended by 65 of those who…

A study of the nature, extent, and effectiveness of foreign language education in the Soviet Union is presented. Research methodology consisted of reading available literature and a panel discussion wiht three Soviet language teaching specialists, then review of a draft report by additional specialists from Moscow and the United States. The report…

The term "conative" is used to describe constructs that span both motivational and volitional aspects of human behavior, distinguished from constructs that emphasize cognition and affection. Among the conative constructs are achievement strivings, beliefs about self-esteem and self-efficacy, interests and attitudes about learning,…

Both a "how-to" book and the story of a "year in the life" with a teacher and her at-risk students, this book is a research chronicle that offers proven methods and inspiration for teachers of the most obdurate middle and secondary school students. The book presents case studies, photographs, quotes from educators, surveys,…

This paper describes a study that aimed to identify parental academic achievement and participation in their children's school as the primary motivators for children's academic achievement. Participants included 213 third and fourth graders from a Catholic School in Chicago. Two groups were randomly selected from records provided by the school.…

Participants from Washington, Hawaii, Majuro, Palau, Guam and other points in the Northern Mariana Islands came together to share information relating to the functions of libraries and archives as information banks and as preservers of the cultural heritage of Micronesia. Papers presented were: (1) "Reading Motivation in the Pacific"…

This guide, which is intended to assist developers of community-based adult literacy programs in Manitoba, explains the following components of good programming and presents suggestions for integrating them into literacy provision: community outreach, program development, learner involvement, provision of appropriate staffing, use of volunteers,…

Research suggests that successful staff development must attend to teachers' affective and humanistic needs. This paper presents strategies for staff development that are based in an affective and humanistic context. The following principles of adult learning are particularly relevant to teacher-staff development: Adults perceive themselves as…

This study utilized the flow theory of intrinsic motivation to evaluate the subjective experience of 78 academically talented high school sophomores participating in an 8-day summer research apprenticeship program in materials and nuclear science. The program involved morning lectures on such topics as physics of electromagnetic radiation, energy…

This paper presents research findings concerning the Career Ladder pilot test program in Arizona. The program is designed to reward and motivate teachers based on performance. One of the program's key features is the flexibility and innovation allowed to participating districts in their individual development of program designs and structures. An…

This document reports on a national research needs assessment study which resulted in the identification of research priorities for the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (NRC/GT) through the year 2000. The report addresses: the scope, purpose, and mission of NRC/GT; a rationale for such research, noting six problem areas in…

This descriptive study attempted to identify those factors that college students with disabilities view as important to their academic success. Thirty-six college students with disabilities (in the areas of mobility, vision, hearing, and learning) were individually interviewed concerning: (1) demographic information, (2) beliefs about academic…

This study examines factors that influence teacher acceptance and support of interactive television (ITV). The factors include: (1) good inservice on ITV; (2) appropriateness of subject matter; (3) student motivation; (4) class size; (5) ITV's allowing low-enrollment classes; (6) job losses or gains; (7) professional growth; (8) peer and…

A study explored how eight Technical and Further Education (TAFE) teachers from Canberra Institute of Technology were dealing with changes to their role as a result of competency-based training. An extended interview was held with each participant; a set of focus questions provided a loose structure. Five teachers were observed; where possible,…