A survey of 55 rural Idaho elementary principals examined developmentally appropriate practices in preschool and primary education. These principals understood the meaning of best practices for young children, but claimed that external factors blocked their efforts to implement them. Interviews suggest that principals attempt to be simultaneously…

Describes a Web-based social psychology course and addresses the design of the course, focusing on the course prerequisites and preassignment and the structure of the course and Web site. Discusses the students' course evaluations and considers both the advantages and disadvantages of teaching a Web-based course. (CMK)

Charter schools offer choices to parents and teachers dissatisfied with mainstream public education. Averaging fewer than 200 students, they offer nurturing educational communities, inventive pedagogies, and educators committed to learning. Devising an accountability system that accommodates such wide variety is their greatest challenge. Brief…

Examines Vietnamese educational reforms of the 1990s, aimed at modernizing education to support Vietnam's wide-ranging market reforms. Discusses the structure of preschool through higher education; the cluttered lower secondary school curriculum, rigidly tied to textbook content and teacher training; rural disadvantage and lesser access to…

Successful environmental stewardship education influences beliefs, values, and behaviors related to specific environmental issues. Programs should address the variables that have been correlated with behavior change. Behavior change takes time, and requires a combination of formal and nonformal sequential learning experiences within a supportive…

Discusses some current types and uses of technology in the social studies classroom, citing the Inspiration tool program, PowerPoint, and hypermedia in general. Considers whether these approaches are simply the old "lecture and quiz" dressed in a new media. (CMK)

Examines differences in attitudes between boys and girls after 5 years of modern language study through interviews with 75 students, 12 language teachers, and 2 headteachers. The significance of teacher personality and classroom practice emerged clearly from student interviews. Findings are discussed in the context of the British national…

A survey of state directors of special education found that states vary greatly in the ways they define autism, assess autism, and provide training and technical assistance for those working with pupils with autism. Tables provide survey data by state. Recommendations focus on professional training needs, assessment practices, and eligibility…

Describes research at the Brunel University (England) School of Education that includes the investigation of pedagogy and student learning using empirical analysis of classroom talk; uses the context of a four-year teacher education degree course for analysis. Discusses pedagogical principles of constructivism and comments on student responses to…

A national survey of elementary and secondary general education teachers (n=368, response rate of 52%) examined classroom grading practices, including grading adaptations for students with disabilities. Results indicated that teachers found certain adaptations (pass-fail grades, portfolios, multiple grades, and grading for effort) useful for…

Considerate instruction, defined as combining effective teaching practices with effective teaching tools such as textbooks and media, is seen as successfully enabling students with sensory and mild cognitive disabilities to achieve. The concept is applied to the teaching of mathematics, science, reasoning, and history. (DB)

This article describes a federally supported program of the American Federation of the Blind, which has developed training materials for individuals working with students who are deaf-blind. The article offers a rationale for the program; notes critical shortages of qualified teachers; discusses materials development; and reviews the program's…

Presents a review of current ERIC documents concerning student assessment practices at community colleges and related issues. Discusses external pressures and challenges for assessment, frameworks and techniques in use, and the importance of recognizing student diversity and maintaining institutional support for assessment efforts. (44 citations)…

Draws on the pedagogical and organizational principles and practices of nongovernmental organizations and people's organizations in the Philippines to construct four themes: critical consciousness and dialog promoted by popular education; conscientization (critical reflection) leading to personal responsibility and to political, social, and…

Data from the Second International Mathematics Study were examined using the course, rather than the country, as the unit of analysis. Findings from Grade 8 and Grade 12 did not support the conclusion that centralized control of curriculum is associated with more consistent and more equitable delivery of curricula. (SLD)