A study in which nonscience professors and graduate students took introductory physics and chemistry courses and found that what makes science unappealing or difficult for some is not subject matter or lack of student preparedness but the way science is packaged. Problems with curriculum design, testing, grading, classroom climate, presentation,…

Maintains that corporal punishment should be banned from every school as a means of classroom discipline, and presents teachers and administrators with workable alternatives to disciplining children. (BB)

Discusses ingredients inherent in democratic, ethical, and moral character and practices and the ways in which early childhood caregivers and teachers can institute democratic practices in their classrooms with young children. Considers the uses of discipline in democratic child care and education. (BB)

Using data from the High School and Beyond survey, describes similarities and differences between African-American and white schools with regard to ethnic segregation, facilities, teacher quality, curriculum, school discipline, and educational achievement. An African-American school is defined as a high school with 70 percent or more…

Examines cognitive elements used by 29 student teachers in solving problems involving instruction, discipline, supervisors, and time demands. Assesses relationship between problem types and teachers' strategies. Examines effect of experience and knowledge on problem-solving processes. Links problem-solving decisions to task environments…

Explores the role of the urban school superintendent with regard to each of the six National Education Goals of 1990. Superintendents must mobilize their forces to fulfill the reforms outlined in the goals and must focus on specific needs of urban children. (SLD)

Four articles in this special section discuss (1) ideas for making discipline a positive experience for child care staff and children (Karen Stephens); (2) scenarios illustrating the power of adult messages to children (Karen Stephens); (3) classroom environments that facilitate positive discipline (Marjorie K. Kostelnik); and (4) strategies for…

Presents study results examining the effectiveness of teacher praise on children's on-task behavior. Describes Canter's Assertive Discipline, its use in Australia, and the basics of a study of the technique. Reports that all teacher subjects increased rates of praising following training, and all but one student improved levels of behavior.…

Examines how differences between history and sociology present challenges to teaching and practice utilizing an interdisciplinary approach. Observes historians emphasize development of literary writing skills whereas sociologists could benefit from greater attention to the role of writing. Advocates continuing efforts for interdisciplinary…

Data on over 4,000 full-time, tenure-track faculty in 4-year colleges and universities were analyzed for the relative importance of teaching, research, administration, and service in determining basic salary. Results showed dominance of the research-oriented salary structure regardless of institution type, professed mission, or discipline.…

Provides a case study from the 1930s to the present of cooperative collection development at the Research Triangle university libraries (North Carolina). The rationale and principles for successful cooperation, types of cooperation that work best for different subjects and kinds of materials, and factors that promote long-term cooperation are…

Examines the challenges for academic libraries in providing library services for interdisciplinary research institutes. A technique for analyzing data gathered from interviews with scholars, citation analysis, and patterns of use of an article copy service is explained. Results are shown to be useful in planning library services. (Contains eight…

Traces development and implementation of a 4-day school week at an Alberta junior high school that extended the school day 40 minutes, resulted in more classes taught in a shorter time period, and decreased student discipline problems. Describes parent and community reactions. Includes recommendations for planning educational change. (LP)

Reports on a study of 71 British secondary teachers about bullying in their schools. Finds that, in schools where students report high rates of bullying, teachers were more likely to perceive behavior as bullying and observe bullying. Also finds that most believe that there were typical victim personalities. (CFR)

Discusses a study of 11 high school physical educators, their teaching, and their programs, drawing conclusions about their work based on the findings of similar research. The article includes implications for high school physical education, staff development, and physical education teacher education. (SM)