Asserts that the central problem of the analysis by M. Wang, G. Haertel, and H. Walberg is that they tend to view the teacher, at least implicitly, as the compliant beneficiary of the knowledge of the educational researcher. Any knowledge base that aims to affect classroom practice should take into account and respect the teacher's world.…

Asserts that because M. Wang, G. Haertel, and H. Walberg never clarify the contours of their "knowledge base for school learning," it is difficult to know what their broad-based comparison of research studies has really yielded. Explores dilemmas posed by the methodology of the study. (SLD)

Describes the preschool education policies and practices in Turkey. Summarizes the history, organization, educational programs, teacher training programs, and demographics of children attending preschool educational institutions. Outlines research and other projects to extend preschool education opportunities. Discusses the problems involved in…

Examines the correspondence between the middle school concept and Total Quality Management (TQM) principles. Discusses six TQM elements transferred easily into Total Quality Education: build the essence of quality into the process; improvement is a continuous process; quality is defined by the users; base decisions on data; change is systematic;…

Defines six types of investigations: (1) classifying and identifying; (2) fair testing; (3) pattern seeking; (4) exploring; (5) investigating models; and (6) making things or developing systems. Challenges the dominance of fair testing in school science investigations. (Author/WRM)

Identifies gaps between what research reveals about how college students learn and current academic, pedagogical, and administrative practices and policies. Offers five explanations of why these gaps exist and suggests that change must be systemic, and will also require that people relearn their roles, systematic measurement of progress, and a…

Introduces this special issue on the evolving childcare and early education services in the city/nation of Singapore and presents ongoing research interests in the area. Topics for articles include an historical overview; the role of play, language development, and early reading experiences for young children; number concepts; and early-childhood…

Presents a historical overview of preschool education in Singapore. Focuses on the custodial services of the creches organized through the social-welfare department and on the postwar development of kindergartens as a community service offered through the Ministry of Education and child-care centers under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of…

An interview with educator-author Alfie Kohn discusses student motivation and the need to move away from giving rewards, praise as a form of control, the importance of genuine encouragement that fosters intrinsic motivation and lifelong learning, and the role of mentors in supporting teachers who seek to change or improve traditional teaching…

Twenty-seven disability technology specialists identified facilitators and barriers when moving from secondary education to post-secondary settings and from post-secondary settings to adult life. Common themes include increasing professional knowledge, improving student self-determination, using best transition practices within assistive…

Focuses on integrating social studies and environmental education. Offers three scenarios that provide opportunities for teaching environmental literacy in the classroom. Provides a set of guiding principles that can assist social studies teachers in making the most of environmental issues. (CMK)

Presents an historical case study on the transplanting of curricular and instructional practices to Queensland (Australia) from the United States. Focuses on two eras of curriculum development and reform from 1969-71 and 1981-89. Finds that curriculum workers in the 1980s were more distanced from the efforts in the United States. (CMK)

Explores the problematic issues, deficits, and open questions that have received little attention in the discussion on self-controlled learning although they arise in both theory formation and research practice. Discusses perspectives for a further development of both theory and research practice and of the practice of self-directed learning in…

Studied the participation and performance of upper secondary school teachers in Japan through surveys completed by 360 Geography teachers. Findings suggest that the importance of developing problem-solving skills is widely recognized among these teachers. Implementing training in such skills is much more difficult. Developing effective teaching…

Argues for the idea of deliberative democracy as an educational process where individuals bring different perspectives to on-going communication. Shows the limits of progressivism and reconstructionism and the possibilities and importance of the neo-pragmatic perspective. States that the idea of deliberative democracy is presented as a way to…