Offers alternatives to conventional modes of instruction by making practical applications of collaborative learning theory. Describes strategies to de-center the classroom by journaling, workshopping, and linking reading with writing. Suggests that with this approach students exhibit less writing apprehension, increased fluency, as well as changed…

Examines difficulties posed in studying local governance because of varied forms found in local government structure. Describes two research methods for drawing upon that variety: (1) building large data sets, and (2) using case studies. Suggests that local research activities, conducted in the context of an educational program, be used as the…

Reports on a survey of 72 "recognized" middle schools and 83 randomly chosen schools, which indicates that most schools require reading instruction, especially in grade six. Finds that many offer remedial programs, but that practice has not responded to theoreticians' advocacy for reading in content areas. (RS)

Discusses the career of Rendigs Fels from his first academic appointment in 1948 until the present. Concludes that Fels is one of a small number of respected economists who have made interest, involvement, and research in the teaching of economics an important and respectable part of the profession. (CFR)

Case situations illustrate some ideal-real discrepancies faced by beginning group workers. The training and supervision approach used shows how managing discrepancies can be assisted. (Author)

A survey of 89 United Kingdom health service professionals (pediatricians, physiotherapists, speech and occupational therapists) found widely varying levels of knowledge and understanding of the system of conductive education. A generally positive but cautious acknowledgement of the method's benefits for selected children was also found. The role…

Analyzed how members of a bilingual sixth-grade class constructed knowledge as they interacted within a particular event of a social studies project. Through classroom observations, a range of features of classroom life were identified that shaped the opportunities students had to construct knowledge, including temporality, interactionals, spaces,…

Reviews research on the role of reflection subsequent to action research in the professional development of teachers. Discusses the use of reflection as a part of the learning process. Calls for partnerships within collaborative organizations that provide opportunities for interaction and reflection. (CFR)

This article notes that there are more issues and problems than positive programmatic trends; it looks at eight major challenges that U.S. schools of education must overcome if they are to become professional schools, analyzing where teacher education currently is vis-a-vis the challenges. (SM)

Describes the work of a team of university and public school mathematics educators to design mathematics assessment tasks that are effective for at-risk students. Perspectives are offered on the need for alternative mathematics assessment and the dangers inherent in the undertaking. Practical design considerations are discussed. (SLD)

Describes a Wyoming summer institute that provided intensive training to regular educators on theory, concepts, and techniques for working with emotionally disturbed children. Program evaluation revealed that the institute was successful in training regular classroom teachers to meet the needs of emotionally disturbed children. (LP)

Two teacher educators interviewed 10 elementary teachers regarding their belief systems about the teaching/learning process, examining the extent to which their instruction reflected their beliefs and noting challenges to implementing instructional strategies that complemented their philosophies. Results indicated that teachers' theoretical…

Maintains that within the qualitative paradigm there are related approaches with distinct disciplinary and intellectual traditions. Examines three genres: (1) educational connoisseurship and criticism; (2) ethnography; and (3) action research. Asserts that understanding the assumptions, methods, and contributions of these genres can expand art…

Reports that the debate over class size in schools has become more heated in recent years. Examines recent research and attempts to answer three questions regarding class size and academic achievement. Concludes that there is a link between the 2, but only in the early years and only with classes smaller than 20 students. (CFR)

Discusses a method of finding and implementing articles from among the sizeable amount of professional literature regarding cooperative learning. Describes the application of three teaching models (1) jigsaw, (2) group investigation, and (3) cybernetics that apply cooperative learning to elementary and secondary social studies instruction. (SG)