Analyzes a research project that utilizes a coherent conceptual model of art education research incorporating the demand for empirical rigor and providing for diverse interpretive frameworks. Briefly profiles the NUD*IST (Non-numerical Unstructured Data Indexing Searching and Theorizing) software system that can organize and retrieve complex…

A 3-year study in Toronto (Ontario) schools examined educational practices that engender exclusion or inclusion, especially of racially marginalized groups. Findings suggest that an inclusive learning environment introduces topics of race, critically examines cultural stereotypes, has high expectations for minority students, encourages…

Reports on a study that investigated the problem of junior high school dropouts in Guangzhou, China, in order to determine how some schools lost fewer students by adopting different approaches. Concludes that effective education must be based on genuine care and concern for students. (GEA)

Describes a teacher development model that enables teachers to learn, internalize, test, and practice experiential teaching methods, and to create support systems that can sustain educational innovation in schools. Phases of a teacher training workshop include immersion, skill building, skill demonstration, and skill application. Includes 10…

Results of professional development programs for elementary through secondary teachers are described, with attention to improving practices for teaching students with learning disabilities and behavior disorders in general education. Four professional development programs explored effective formats and content, and three subsequent programs…

Examines aspects of an African-centered pedagogy that should let children understand their identities as people of African heritage. Data are from an ethnographic study of "liberatory" pedagogy that was used by four black women teachers. Three vignettes illustrate liberatory practice as it explicitly addresses issues that are often…

Discusses the kinds of competencies needed by educators to better assist young children with disabilities and their families. These competencies include: knowledge of early childhood as a distinct phase of development, experiences in working with families, skills in collaboration and coordination, developmentally appropriate intervention, and…

Describes how school districts in Alberta (Canada) are successfully applying principles of total quality management (TQM). Overviews TQM principles and applications in educational settings including creating a constancy of purpose for educational improvement, eliminating student grading, managing a complete system, focusing on stakeholder…

Teachers of American Indian elementary school students attended a two-week institute emphasizing integration of science instruction with culturally relevant materials and activities and use of a hands-on inquiry approach. A one-year follow-up found that initial changes in teachers' behavior and practices had largely been lost. Discusses…

Overcoming obstacles to teacher research about their own educational practices requires the formation of intellectual communities of teacher-researchers or networks of teachers. An analytic framework is presented for interpreting and evaluating the work of such groups according to how they use time, talk, construct texts, and interpret teaching…

Future special education placement bias litigation can be prevented if special education and related services programs meet certain principles of responsibility, including ensuring the development of effective interventions in regular education, using assessment procedures that are oriented toward intervention rather than student classification,…

Findings are summarized from a comparative analysis of education-examination practices in selected European and Asian countries. The review of testing practices in other countries reveals that these practices are in transition in most countries. A central lesson is that changing teaching can lead to changes in testing. (SLD)

Reports on the state of transition in governance in English primary schools following the Education Reform Act. Analyzes contemporary primary school practices and their antecedents, then considers a proposed national curriculum and associated assessment procedures. Focuses on the preparedness of teachers to implement changes in the classroom and…

The extent of developmentally appropriate practices was studied in 103 kindergarten classrooms across North Carolina. Ninety-three teachers and 93 principals were also surveyed to determine predictors of classroom quality. Only 20 percent of the classes met criteria for developmental appropriateness, and quality was predictable from teacher and…

Argues that high-stakes primary grade testing increases pressure on low-achieving schools to improve test performance and increases chances that low achieving children will be retained in grade or classified as handicapped. It is suggested that current practices be modified to eliminate motives to engage in such placement practices. (SLD)