Effective deliberation in teaching relies upon situational appreciation. This article examines some of the central issues and confusing claims in the current debate over the notion of practical arguments as a way of better understanding how teachers think when they deliberate about what to do in the classroom. (IAH)

There is probably no widespread educational practice as thoroughly discredited as retention in grade. If the research undercutting this practice is sound, the task is to uproot outdated misconceptions appealing to educators'"common sense" wisdom. An Arizona study's influence on the attitudes of community leaders, local teachers, and…

Denies that the paradigm shift in composition pedagogy (process/product), apparent in the rhetoric of many journals, has become a widespread pedagogical reality. Gives first-hand accounts of teaching methods in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States showing that pedagogy continues to be product-oriented. (SR)

Contends that issues that occur at the intersection of culture and interaction with learning and instruction have been too sharply restricted in scholarly studies on the teaching of English language arts. Suggests that the bifurcation of concerns among language educators is in part a reflection of school, not scholarly, issues. (MS)

Sociolinguistics is recommended as a resource for second language teachers, to increase understanding in such areas as the nature of language, the goals and concerns of language teaching, perspective on curriculum and materials design, identification of appropriate goals, and evaluation of a learner's ability to use a second language. (43…

Five major cautions gleaned from the literature, regarding appropriate use of teacher effectiveness research, are discussed. Consequences of misuse of research findings for evaluation of preservice and inservice teachers are also discussed. (IAH)

This article illustrates some problems faced by student teachers of biology when they try to realize the process of "didactic transformation" while planning their classes. To address these problems, a method of subject-matter analysis, utilizing hierarchical concept-maps, was introduced into the teacher training component at the Free…

Outlines the themes and purposes of humanistic education in the instruction of English-as-a-Second-Language, from the perspective of teacher, trainer, student, colleague, parent, and observer, focusing on the processes, values, and attitudes that underpin humanistic education and that are drawn from humanistic psychology. (Author/CB)

Reports the student evaluation practices and attitudes of 4,449 elementary and secondary science teachers in British Columbia (Canada). Finds that testing is a common classroom activity; methods and formats used to estimate student achievement vary substantially; and current teacher practices have little relationship to the science of educational…

Instead of decoding sentences, good readers build meaning by integrating their knowledge with the text. Reading assessment must shift from traditional quantifiable tests to a portfolio system incorporating multiple measures and indicators of expertise. Michigan and Illinois efforts to translate interactive reading theory into assessment practices…

An expanded framework for validating tests is needed to include the perspectives of teachers and students as well as of test makers and scientists. The development of educational assessments must take place within an understanding of how tests are used in context. (SLD)

Recent research on effective classroom management practices is summarized. Effective practices include organizing classroom space, establishing rules, developing classroom procedures, maintaining the learning environment (e.g., matching instruction to individual needs and monitoring pupil performance), and assessing the effectiveness of management…

Identifies the properties and characteristics of supercritical fluids. Discusses the methodology for supercritical fluid chromatography including flow rate, plate height, column efficiency, viscosity, and other factors. Reviews instruments, column types, and elution conditions. Lists supercritical fluid data for 22 compounds, mostly organic. (MVL)

Explores the nature of complete education as it was conceived and practiced by adherents of French classical anarchist pedagogy. Notes conflict between freedom and authority in their conceptualization. Argues that consciousness of actions rather than the economic and social products of those actions was what made practice contributory to…

A solid blend of theory and practice, an effective training system, and continuing support for new teachers are essential elements of teacher preparation, whether it is provided by a university, a district, or a partnership of the two. (Author/TE)