Examples from related case studies illustrate possible consequences of a social constructivist approach to learning and teaching mathematics. Discusses student tasks that promote flexibility in mathematizing subject matter; constructive versus Euclidean geometry approaches; working with real-life mathematics problems; and product versus process…

Problems of fit among five streams of educational reform and prevailing configurations of teachers' professional development are identified. It is argued that the dominant training-and-coaching model is not adequate for the requirements of present reform initiatives. Criteria are presented for assessing professional development policies and…

School reform efforts require teaching teamwork and goal setting to school personnel. Describes a number of strategies for managing organizational change with examples at specific schools. Lists Coalition of Essential Schools materials. (MLF)

Strategies for designing effective professional development programs for research librarians are discussed, focusing on competencies of librarians and benefits to the organization. An internship model that outlines necessary components in the context of quality management and effectiveness is offered. (26 references) (EA)

Parents' general satisfaction with child care, which they often do not investigate fully, and the ways they make their child care choices suggest that parents are not likely to be major catalysts for school reform. Issues of quality, equity, parent choice, and school restructuring are explored. (SLD)

Describes an Africentric model for training psychologists who deliver Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) education, prevention, and services within the African-American community. Principles of the NTU philosophy (a Bantu concept) and Nguzo Saba were used in training 75 African-American psychologists to deliver prevention services. (SLD)

A study applied a human capital model to statistics on part-time adult college/university students in the United Kingdom and finding that part-time students account for approximately 40% of total student numbers of whom 42% are female and that part-time study is of significant benefit to both individuals and society. (Author/MSE)

Presents a hands-on, exploratory science unit to study the biodiversity of the African tropical rain forest. Students study the vegetation, animal population, and human habitants of the forest. (MDH)

To build understanding of, and the ability to use, first-year science and engineering calculus, students were introduced to differential equations and asked to carry out research on differential equation modeling projects. Describes a model for the research paper; appendices provide a copy of the student handout and five examples of student…

Examines choices made by educators implementing cooperative learning today, expanding the pragmatic consideration of what works to an exploration of what we want for students from cooperative learning. Realizing the potential of cooperative learning requires examining the roles of teachers and the roles of schools in shaping society. (SLD)

Examines the difficulties of two elementary school teachers as they learn to use cooperative learning in the classroom. They experience ambiguity because their current understanding of practice is not sufficient to help them solve the problems they encounter. Ambiguity is dealt with by modifying their practices or their appreciative systems. (SLD)

Applies a path model previously used for Anglo youth to the relationships among family strengths, religious identification, school adjustment, family sanctions against drug use, and peer relationships and youth drug use for 477 American Indian high school juniors and seniors. Discusses differences in findings from those for Anglo youth. (SLD)

The introduction of Total Quality Management into the classroom is often driven by corporate, rather than student, interests. Corporations'"raison d'etre" is to maximize profit for their investors. If educators look at students and see only future employees, they distort learning by reducing it to fiscal terms and ignore what children…

Rethinking the middle-level schooling process means reevaluating curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices; addressing organizational structure and attendant issues (grade configuration, grouping patterns, and the master schedule); and examining staffing issues, particularly the teacher's role. The proof of the process lies in student…

Describes how instructional television and other existing videos can be repurposed to develop theory-based interactive videodiscs. Barriers to videodisc use in education are discussed; and two models are described that integrate curriculum theory and cognitive learning theory in the creation of social studies and foreign language curriculum…