This monograph explores issues around the position of child development knowledge in early childhood education. Part 1 of the monograph raises questions regarding the role of such knowledge in teaching young children and its place in teacher education. This section considers the definition of "development," the type of child development…

Based on the assumption that much can be learned from the studies of experienced science teachers, the purpose of this study is to identify the knowledge base that contributed to the instructional representations demonstrated by four exemplary junior high school biology teachers. Results are intended to provide suggestions that would be useful to…

This report on teachers' academic preparation and professional development, the amount of emphasis science instruction receives in schools, student course taking, and the availability of school resources that support science learning is intended primarily for policy makers, school administrators, and educators concerned with state- or school-level…

This paper examines the differences between Marxian/Gramscian educators and Foucauldian educators regarding school curriculum, teacher education, knowledge production, and other factors. Marxian/Gramscian educators view the school as continuing to reproduce unfair and unjust institutions and to assert that ideology shapes schooling. Foucauldian…

This comprehensive annotated resource list is designed to assist in the selection of science resources for elementary classrooms. This guide is organized by grade level, and within that heading by series and topic. Following the lists for individual grades is a list of elementary science resources, which are not topic specific, authorized for…

The research reported here focuses on the beliefs, values and attitudes of one experienced biology teacher (Teacher A) in relation to the teaching of controversial biological issues. Of specific interest is the thinking behind what this teacher conceptualizes are the possibilities and problems for the teaching of controversial issues as part of…

After more than two decades of federal transition legislation, students with disabilities continue to have significantly poorer postschool outcomes as compared to their peers without disabilities. One reason for these outcomes is that educators are inadequately prepared to provide the services required under the Individuals with Disabilities…

Assumptions about knowledge construction, knowledge transmission and the nature of mathematics always underlie any teaching practice even if often unconsciously. In the paper we explain our theoretical assumptions about these cognitive and epistemological issues and derive from them a "model" of teacher. Finally we discuss why and how…

The focus of this inquiry study is young children's learning, and specifically, their use of literacy from their preschool years through age eight. The inquiry study is designed to function simultaneously on two levels: the first level (figure 1) invites study group members to think about themselves as learners, teachers, and scholars. At the…

National Board Certification[R] is a nationwide program designed to identify, recognize and reward teachers and school counselors who meet the highest standards of their profession. To achieve certification, teachers must demonstrate thorough mastery of the subjects they teach, the methods of instruction to use, and the skill to apply that…

This paper provides a glimpse into the positive effect on student learning as a result of empowering a classroom teacher of 20 years (Andrea) with subject matter knowledge relevant to developing fraction understanding. Having a facility with fractions is essential for life skills in any society, whether metricated or non-metricated, and yet…

This essay, written for mathematics educators, addresses a series of questions related to the development of curriculum in mathematics education. The case is made that mathematics curriculum must be evaluated continuously to stay abreast of recent research results and needed trends. Also addressed is the question of how much mathematics…

This qualitative interpretivist study analyzes the interrelationships between, the knowledge gained in teacher professional development programs and the context of employment. Findings indicate that teachers construct a knowledge base by moving back and forth between continuing education programs and their professional practice. This process of…

This investigation was guided by the following research questions: (1) how do teachers' understandings of the nature of science influence classroom practice?; and (2) what factors facilitate or impede the influence of teachers' understandings on classroom practice? An in-depth, year long assessment of the classroom practices and goals of five…

Each new headline about American students' poor performance in math and science leads to new calls for reform in teaching. This book examines key issues in the debate and offers a vision and recommendations for improving teacher education in science, mathematics, and technology. It also puts the whole picture together by synthesizing what is known…