Ethnographic research (1) observes human behavior in its natural setting over a substantial period of time, (2) claims that classes of events are better understood through intensive examination of carefully selected particular cases, (3) incorporates as many of the complexities and variables into a setting as possible, and (4) is usually comprised…

It is suggested that significant differences remain between ethnic groups in New Zealand, specifically the Maori and the non-Maori, or "Pakeha" (a term used by the Maori for New Zealanders of European descent), in terms of educational achievement. This gap exists despite emphasis placed on education as a means of reducing social…

Key concepts from theory and research on student learning are discussed, and a conceptual framework to promote the design of local instructional improvement efforts is presented. The objective is to advocate that institutional researchers focus more directly on the basic issues of teaching and learning and to suggest that improving instructional…

Noting that this digest is only an indication of trends, not a detailed analysis, this report summarizes information on computer applications in primary and secondary education, including technical and vocational training, in 43 countries. The information was obtained from surveys made for differing purposes, monographs produced for various…

Future issues in educational and occupational testing were discussed at the 1985 Educational Testing Service (ETS) Invitational Conference. Gregory R. Anrig, ETS President, predicted that advances in cognitive psychology and technology would influence tests to serve individuals more than institutions, to help individuals learn and succeed, and to…

Questionnaires were given to teachers practicing in Ontario Schools, to student teachers, and to faculty members in a survey of the approach to writing skills instruction in Faculties of Education at nine Ontario universities and at two Ontario teacher education colleges. Several of the 15 unanimous recommendations resulting from an analysis of…

Limited English proficient adults represent a special population group served by the federally funded Adult Education Act. Usually, limited English speakers attend English as a second language (ESL) classes offered by state and local agencies. In the last decade, changes in the approach to ESL instruction have deemphasized academic ESL and focused…

A global awareness survey of Japanese education majors was carried out to assess the level of knowledge of freshmen and senior teacher trainees, the level of their attitudinal awareness of key global issues, and their level of competence in their most proficient second language. A stratified sample was drawn from the total population of Japanese…

Federal statistics reveal that 59.5 million Americans live outside urban areas, and the public school students who live in these rural areas constitute the largest minority public school population in this country; however, the lion's share of attention, research, and federal and state financial support goes to large schools in metropolitan areas.…

Approximately 1820 high school seniors from 14 schools in Georgia were surveyed to determine their attitudes toward five areas of the social studies: economics, geography, government, history, and psychology/sociology. Results indicated that economics was selected as the least-liked subject area more often than any other social studies area. In…

This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 18 titles deal with a variety of topics, including the following: (1) effects of creative drama instruction on the story grammar knowledge of field-dependent and field-independent primary grade students; (2) a content assessment…

The fourth annual research inventory describes 728 Mexican-related research projects being conducted in 1984 or to begin in 1985 in 14 countries. Data come from questionnaires sent during 1984 to more than 1,800 individual researchers and 650 institutions around the world. Each project description provides names and addresses of principal and…

The Knowledge Network of Washington (KNOW-NET) Dissemination Project in Washington State from 1980 to 1985 is described prior to and following funding by the National Institute of Education. As a state capacity building project, KNOW-NET had five major components: (1) coordination/leadership; (2) building information resources; (3) building…

This notebook contains 21 standards established by the Center for Educational Statistics (CES); CES legislation; and a description of the CES publication and publication review processes. The publication clearance procedures and the external advice and peer review policies are established by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement…

Many feel that emotional intensity or attitude toward science and science teaching influences the teaching of science. As a means for changing attitude toward science and science teaching, preservice science education and inservice science education have been recommended. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a yearlong…