Describes a procedure for ascertaining secondary students' misconceptions about concepts relating to astronomy. Summarizes results that indicate the usefulness of the approach and the range and extent of the misconceptions which could be revealed. Makes suggestions about how to use the technique in such a way that the findings will challenge the…

Discusses the problem of drawing free-body diagrams to analyze the conditions of static equilibrium. Presents a method based on the correct placement of the normal force on the body. Includes diagrams. (MVL)

Recent U.S. Education Department surveys find a crime perception gap between administrators and teachers. More teachers than principals say they have problems with student violence, weapons, robberies, verbal and physical abuse, vandalism, and racial tension. National Crime Survey statistics report 16,000 daily thefts and violent crimes on school…

Discusses how early notions about celestial mechanics were restructured, one by one, involving the following concepts: the celestial sphere and its rotation; the spherical earth; planetary motion; and models for the solar system initiated by Eudoxus, Hipparchus, Ptolemy, and Copernicus. (JJK)

Explores the role played by the conceptual structure of science in scientific literacy. Examines the role of scientific models in scientific literacy. (ZWH)

Some inner-city youth have "ducked the bullet" and built hope through participation in neighborhood-based organizations that offer safety, support, guidance, companionship, and opportunities for growth and engagement. All 60 urban sanctuaries examined in 3 metropolitan areas shared common features: dynamic adult leadership, family-like…

The 1940 school discipline list, a "national teacher survey" of the top seven offenses has been extensively cited by outspoken school critics. The list, along with its 1990 counterpart, has been traced to T. Cullen Davis, a wealthy Texas businessman-turned evangelical Christian/education lobbyist. The conflation of school discipline with social…

Discusses some results of the CSMS test which provides information for teachers on students' levels of understanding in secondary school mathematics, including comparison with a Piagetian task, identification of misconceptions, and description of naive strategies. (MKR)

Describes how discrepant events in science can be used to stimulate and motivate the use of thinking skills in learning scientific concepts. (ZWH)

Describes a method for developing a paper-and-pencil test to evaluate students' understanding of the mole concept in chemistry. (ZWH)

Myths about adult learning are (1) adult learning is essentially joyful; (2) adults are innately self-directed learners; (3) good teachers meet the felt needs of learners; (4) there is a uniquely adult learning style; and (5) there is a uniquely adult teaching style. (SK)

Criticizes outcome-based education for reducing education, teaching, and learning to forms of human engineering and quasi-scientific planning procedures geared toward instrumental means and specified ends. Stating outcomes as a comprehensive form of intellectual scaffolding limits inquiry and speculation and gives schools and curriculum framers…

When dealing with a real dispute based on conflicting goals rather than a misunderstanding, it is better to avoid multiple rounds of "clarifying communication." A better approach is to solicit the opposite party's concerns and critiques, thereby eliciting a sequence of constructive responses until agreement has been reached. Examples are provided.…

For years, reports on schooling crises have emanated from blue-ribbon panels filled with academicians, school board members, business executives, and other outside experts. A recent four-school study involving students, teachers, administrators, and classified staff identified seven major schooling problems: human relationships; race, culture,…

It is commonly stated that almost half of all adolescents are at risk of school failure, substance abuse, delinquency, and teenage pregnancy. Recent research shows that today's American teenagers are healthier, happier, better educated, and more responsible than past teens. Ignoring these facts scatters valuable resources and dilutes efforts to…