Provides a list of 25 ideas that will enrich reading and writing programs. These ideas include reading aloud, reading demonstrations, reading conferences, independent and shared reading, miscue analysis, guided reading, theme immersion, independent writing, author/illustrator studies, personal journal writing, letter writing, and publishing. (MOK)

Addresses two issues in the ethics of grading and testing. The first is the charge that the practice of grading students is intrinsically coercive. The second is the national debate about authentic assessment, educational standards, and standardized measures of educational outcomes. The paper suggests there is an acceptable middle ground. (SM)

Whether performance patterns on four variables from the California Verbal Learning Test could differentiate patients with moderate or severe brain injuries from those with mild injuries giving incomplete effort was studied with 46 patients, half of whom were in litigation. The test appeared to be useful as part of an evaluation of brain injury.…

Responds to Rubin and Knox's (1996) article concerning data analysis in single-case evaluations. Asserts that their conclusions are based on confusions between research and practice, misunderstandings and misstatements of the relative utility of single-case and group designs for both, and neglect of the basic literature regarding single-case…

A Chicago elementary school has been integrating health and nutrition concepts into its curriculum for several years. Teachers in early childhood classes have developed creative, hands-on units (such as preparing and devouring apple concoctions) and field trips to the grocery store. Lessons are often reinforced with free information resources,…

Describes pedagogical and profession-oriented motivations as well as science and society-related aspects of project orientation and project-organized curricula in higher education. Argues that staff and faculties will need to establish a continuous process of organizational development in order to overcome obvious problems and constraints of the…

Presents literature-based activities that take division off the workbook pages and place it in situations to which children can relate. The activities help students understand division, devise strategies, and solve problems in context. Both activities involve reading stories then using division to solve real-life problems for story characters. (SM)

A study involving 22 Australian Aboriginal students, age about 11 years, and 12 controls found that a thinking skills program, the Cognitive Research Trust Program, can enhance their creative thinking in mainstream classrooms, but did not improve scholastic aptitude, academic achievement, thinking approaches, self-concept as a thinker, or locus of…

Describes a writing assignment based on a "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode in which an alien sacrifices his life so two cultures can come together. Provides questions for students to answer during the viewing of the episode. Suggests a writing assignment (and several variations) in which students create their own alien. (TB)

Analyzes ways in which biology is taught by experienced teachers and discusses contexts in which specific teaching strategies seemed successful. Analyses of teachers' responses reveals complex relationships among their perception of what was distinctive about their biology program and students, allocation of class time, efforts to individualize…

Provides a description of a project using a draw-a-scientist test to probe students' perceptions of who does science under what conditions. Details are provided regarding the methodology with research instruments included. Instructions for participating in a national study using the draw-a-scientist test are provided. (DDR)

Describes ways to incorporate science into events that typically happen during the school year, including the school carnival, school assemblies, open house, book fair, sports events, newsletters, field trips, schoolyard cleanup, career days, and parent-teacher conferences. Presents tips to encourage parents to support an improved science program…

The dynamic interplay between internal and external evaluation in formative and summative studies of an intervention program aimed at promoting mathematics, science, and technology education was explored. Results emphasize the need to define the roles of formative and summative evaluation and the contributions of internal and external evaluators…

Looks back on the history of suicidology to discuss important concepts that have become well established, such as clues to suicide, ambivalence, crisis services, suicide consultations, and psychological autopsies. Recommendations for the long-term treatment of patients are provided. Research on youth suicide is reported. Examines new developments…

The Self-Esteem Index (SEI), designed to assess self-esteem in school-age children and adolescents, is composed of four self-esteem subscales: Perception of Familial Acceptance, Perception of Academic Competence, Perception of Peer Popularity, and Perception of Personal Security. Discusses these subscales and makes recommendations regarding the…