Reviews research on influences on children's symbolic play. Finds little support for the effects of child-adult symbolic play interactions on child solitary play. Discusses three theoretical perspectives that should support these effects: attachment, ethological, and scaffolding theories. Reconsiders the essence of specific variables affecting…

Response to article by Bornstein and Tamis-LeMonda in this same issue. Delimits the faults of the ethological, scaffolding, and attachment theories in assessing maternal effects on children's symbolic play. Concludes that environmental influences are important to, but are not necessarily the sole cause of, child behavior. (JW)

The paper examines the implications of two different theoretical approaches for teacher education (Erickson's cultural differences theory and Ogbu's secondary cultural discontinuity theory), suggesting a multicultural education curriculum that incorporates a composite of both theories in order to assist future teachers in combatting the problem of…

Discusses a case study of an English teacher, the methods of teaching, and the difficulties encountered by the researcher in the study. Emphasizes the structure that an underlying pedagogical theory supplies for research, enabling the researcher to see, categorize, and analyze the content that teachers present to students. Discusses models of…

In 1966, Muska Mosston introduced the Spectrum of Teaching Styles. Now, the expanded spectrum has been widely adopted nationally and internationally. A series of eight articles examines various uses of the Spectrum of Teaching Styles by teachers and teacher educators. (SM)

Methods of teacher evaluation in public school districts in Ohio were studied in a 272-district sample. Comparison of data with seven theoretical models from the literature on teacher evaluation indicates that 84 percent of responding districts use a traditional Trait Model (teaching in terms of traits) to evaluate the teacher. (SLD)

Summarizes and reviews six studies published in this issue. Emphasizes the teaching methods recommended by each study and the ways in which the studies affirm several assumptions that guide early childhood teaching practices. (MM)

Discusses the experiences and ideas of Anton S. Makarenko, an early influential Soviet educator known for his children's labor collective school that operated in the 1920s near Poltava. Examines Makarenko's legacy for the current educational reform movement, which emphasizes methods that combine instruction with social production and seeks ways to…

A series of 19 questions illuminates the characteristics of effective performance assessments in 3 sections: (1) the nature of assessment; (2) properties of effective tasks; and (3) making tasks meaningful and engaging. A fourth section offers practical suggestions for the construction of performance assessments and for teacher involvement. (SLD)

Using public school reform efforts in Chicago (Illinois), this essay attempts to provide a theoretical framework for understanding how the educational governance system responds to political and social value conflicts and discusses how opposing interests have periodically compromised rather than resolved these conflicts. (SLD)

Reports on a study of early field experience activities in 22 teacher education programs. Concludes that the goals of most field experiences programs are seldom achieved. Recommends more institutional support and field experience assignments geared to self-reflection and analysis. (CFR)

This article describes an assessment approach for students with severe and multiple disabilities, SMH.PAL, that employs expert system technology. The system matches behavior topography with studies describing treatment approaches and then generates case-specific, annotated descriptions of potentially useful articles. It also models an approach to…

Discusses advances in psychotherapy research with children and adolescents, highlighting three central themes. Discusses scope of clinical dysfunctions, at-risk behaviors, and conditions to which children are exposed. Uses examples of research on negative affect, social behavior, and empathy to illustrate role of development in adjustment.…

Considers the implications of discipline-based art education (DBAE) for music education. Recounts the historical shift in art education that produced DBAE. Identifies DBAE's characteristics. Explores the influence of the Getty Center for Education in the Arts upon DBAE. Urges further discussion of incorporating DBAE ideas into music education. (CH)

Policymakers promote student teachers' knowledge of subjects and their application of subject knowledge in the classroom as crucial in teacher training reform. The paper presents educational arguments supporting the policy and notes recent studies which have investigated the ways in which students' knowledge of subjects may inform their teaching.…