Identifies reasons for the recent decrease in political science departments enrollments. Internal reasons are lack of focus in the curriculum, inadequate advising, and an emphasis on research at the expense of teaching. External reasons are a lack of trust and interest in the government and public affairs. (MJP)

Summarizes an experiment that expanded the types of variables and approaches used in statistical analyses of subject attainment in secondary education. The experiment compared students' grades in a given subject with their expected grades based on performance in other subjects. Considers applications and limitations to this approach. (MJP)

Successful professional development schools are characterized by shared decision making among stakeholders; exemplary educational programs; culturally responsive teaching; coaching as a professional development tool; a set of proficiencies that guide curriculum for future teachers; emphasis on technology to facilitate student, teacher, and teacher…

Examines sources of influence on inner-city students' initial middle school placements in English and mathematics and continuity and change in placements through the end of middle school. Discusses the various academic and socioeconomic influences and how they change throughout the middle school years. Includes data from a longitudinal study. (MJP)

Examines the catalog descriptions of 42 undergraduate psychology programs in North Carolina. Reveals that minimum introductory and methodological requirements consists of one-term introductory, statistics, and experimental design courses. A required integrated experience was most often a history and systems course or senior seminar. This is…

Continues the analysis of a massive survey done in Moscow (Russia) in 1991. Focuses almost exclusively on education, examining parents' teachers' and students' perceptions of the school system and the benefits of an education. Correlates a vast amount of data concerning socioeconomic characteristics and various attitudes. (MJP)

Maori pedagogical and research principles provide a foundation for an alternative model of Maori schooling that emphasizes empowerment, student-teacher co-construction of knowledge, and the critical importance of cultural recognition. Principles include self-determination, uniqueness of each child, reciprocal learning, home-school relationship,…

Data on 1990, 1991, and 1992 spending by the Department of Education and other federal agencies include dollar amounts of student assistance, graduate support, institutional assistance, bilingual education, library resources, aid to disadvantaged, education research and statistics, handicapped education, scientific research, health research and…

Examines U.S. educational research policy since the 1960s in conjunction with author's directorship of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Discusses federal education laboratories created in 1965. Reviews the OECD's 1969 evaluation of federal research and development programs. Contends U.S. research policy suffers…

Identifies socioeducational research problems in Latin America, relating them to colonialism's legacy. Contends confusion over development goals impairs setting research priorities; reliance on Western research paradigms impedes developing indigenous models; and, for research to have impact on education, decision makers must have more access to…

Reviews research on elementary school students' capacity for historical understanding. Suggests Piagetian theory is not applicable to historical thinking. Considers teaching approaches for developing elementary history instruction, including (1) embedding history in meaningful context; (2) use of narrative; (3) linking past and present; and (4)…

Presents a study that examined student knowledge of place-name geography in a Georgia school system that systematically included geography education at all grade levels. Findings indicated that these students identified correct locations more frequently than adults in any of the nine nations in the 1988 Gallup survey. Includes the test used in…

Reports on research studies concerning cognitive learning in the environment as it relates to elementary schools. Indicates that field instruction is useful in promoting and achieving cognitive gain when effectively planned, managed, and coordinated with other modes of instruction. (RT)

Demonstrates that socio-economic factors such as family background are important in determining student achievement, but are reinforced by factors such as teaching and learning resources. Presents a study of student achievement in mathematics and science related to parental education and occupation and to type of school. (LS)

Focuses on encouraging teachers to become critical and reflective practitioners, researchers of their own professional life and agents of change. Four characteristics defining theory, research, and practice in the context of situated research are listed. Teacher research cannot be limited to quantitative research nor to the classroom. (24…