Discusses the quality of school-level data collected as part of state accountability systems, including the reliability and validity of school-level test scores as a measure of the value added by schools to student learning, outlining ways that these data can be usefully analyzed; illustrating challenges inherent in doing so; and discussing…

This article examines the clinician/researcher relationship, suggests directions for improving the relationship, and discusses avenues for transferring research information to clinical practice. An eight-step model for transferring research studies to practice is adopted and three steps are targeted for discussion and illustration. A case study…

Discusses the issues related to evaluation of distance education and virtual schooling. The evaluation design of a virtual high school project is presented, and goals, stakeholder analysis, evaluator role, data collection, and data analysis are described. The need for evaluation of distance education and the ethical responsibility of the…

Introduces and demonstrates a modified task analysis model. On the basis of this model applied in a qualitative study conducted in a program for hearing-impaired preschool children in Taiwan, findings that shed light on how and why discrepant behaviors in teaching practices can results from a well-defined and demonstrated pedagogy are reported.…

Describes disposition designed to provide students with some of the substance of proof as an element of the practical rationality invested in engaging students in proving. Discusses how video episodes enhance chances of eliciting the practical rationality of mathematics teaching and how these records and artifacts function in the context of a…

Argues that reading literature is one of the best ways to cultivate the moral imagination. Draws on sources from cognitive science, philosophy, literature, and education. Argues that a cultivated moral imagination will have greater ability to make sound moral judgements. Infers this can be applied to educational pursuits as well. (CAJ)

A ninth-grade English teacher at an urban California high school taught writing through focusing on tolerance. Books by young people who grew up with war, coupled with guaranteed anonymity, inspired and liberated her students to write about real, controversial topics in their journals, gaining them national recognition. Revising, peer editing, and…

Uses a university campus as the focus for a study of the entire watershed. Presents a context for incorporating pedagogical elements, interdisciplinary teaching, research experience, and active, collaborative strategies into a useful framework for undergraduate science education. (Author/KHR)

Investigates elementary school preservice teachers' attitudes and backgrounds in science with a Likert scale instrument. Reports that preservice teachers believe in the importance of science in elementary education and points out gender trends in confidence in teaching. (YDS)

Provides ways for students to demonstrate their understanding of scientific concepts and skills. Describes a mini-unit around the cold in which students can relate humans to viruses. Includes activities and a modified simulation that provides questions to guide students. Discusses ways that allows students to apply prior knowledge, take ownership…

Describes how to use newspapers and newsmagazines as available science-related resources in the science classroom. Provides teaching strategies to foster student thinking and assess student understanding. (KHR)

Describes an approach to the teaching of electricity that uses box and AVOW diagrams, novel representations of the properties of the electric circuit that portray current, voltage, resistance, and power. The diagrams were developed as aids in learning, understanding, and problem solving and to promote conceptual change by challenging a number of…

Explains the game of "Words of Fortune" in which students act out vocabulary words. Notes that this activity provides students the opportunity to make strong visual, aural, and kinesthetic connections with vocabulary lists. Concludes that "Words of Fortune" helps students write better sentences for vocabulary assessment. (PM)

Describes an expository writing lesson, taught in the context of a modified writing workshop, that motivates needy students to compose meaningful essays. Explains that this approach promotes self-pacing and independent learning. Concludes that this method helps struggling readers see themselves as writers. (PM)

Describes Body Parts Writing, an activity which focuses on the reader's own text-based and self-based interpretations of literature. Notes that the purpose of this activity is to invite and support readers' personal responses and give them a forum to discuss their individual interpretations. Concludes that it provides readers with another way to…