Reviews a number of second-language (L2) classroom-based research projects undertaken at the University of Stirling in Scotland. It is argued that a full understanding of classroom-based L2 learning requires the integration of sociolinguistic studies of the classroom context with psycholinguistic studies of second language acquisition. (Author/VWL)

Describes issues which are common to all research methodologies and some that were unique to the assessment techniques used in the Child Development Project (CDP) in San Ramon, California. Looks at the limited amount of time given assessments and the "fluid" nature of measurements. Notes that CDP issues involved observations,…

Correspondence between "macro" (teacher-to-group) and "micro" (teacher-to-student) measures of teaching effectiveness was studied by multivariate analysis of variance of extreme groups and whole-sample cluster analysis, using 43 middle school teachers. Macro measures tended to identify more effective teachers, while micro…

This paper discusses developments in special education classroom observational assessment. Conceptual advances include increased focus on assessment with practical value for teaching and benefits gained from merging classroom instructional factors with behavior. Methodological advances include development of ecobehavioral observation protocols and…

This article examines why Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities often lack validity and accuracy and offers methods to make IEPs more responsive to student education needs. These methods focus on holistic assessment including such strategies as observation, story retellings, oral and silent reading, writing…

Addresses the relationship between reader response and culture. Presents portraits of a teacher and her Black students and White students as they studied a series of African American literary texts, including Virginia Hamilton's "House of Dies Drear" (1968). The reading of this text marked a turning point for the teacher and students.…

Observations of children's writing on the computer include an anecdote concerning a five-year-old's use of a word processor to write a story at the University of South Carolina's Children's Center. Also discussed are general literacy growth and four patterns of risk taking with computer writing. (BB)

Presents an annotated dialogue between two teachers concerning a teacher's observations of children's play. Discusses teachers' practice of representing children's play for the children and the results of this practice. (BB)

Sixty-two preschool and kindergarten programs were examined with regard to various instructional practices. An observations protocol was developed to assess social and motivational effects of instructional practice in early childhood education programs. Program participants who had relatively high scores on the social context subscales had…

Considers student-teacher observation and evaluation as processes that define proper behavior and construct social forms of teaching behavior. Discusses documentary records on student-teachers' development. Analyzes nineteenth-century Training Registers of the Ontario Provincial Model School in terms of students' characteristics and evaluations,…

Critically assesses the methodology and conclusions of two British studies concerning gender imbalances in classroom participation. Finds the studies' generalizations too broad, and suggests that type of teacher attention would be more influential than quantity of attention, which these studies observed. Recommends a more cumulative development of…

Teachers in Tennessee are using the Classroom Ecological Inventory (CEI) to prepare students with mild disabilities for moves into mainstream settings. The CEI was field tested as part of the Peabody Reintegration Project and involves observation of the regular classroom, regular teacher interview, comparison of the special and regular classrooms,…

Reports the results of detailed observations conducted in four Grade 9 French classes during one school semester in one school district in Eastern Canada. Results suggest teachers were implementing the multidimensional project-based core French curriculum prescribed by the Ministry of Education in different ways. (Author/VWL)

Describes a tool for use by clinical medical preceptors for making brief (5 to 10 minute) focused observations of students and record them in specific, nonjudgmental language, even if feedback does not occur immediately. The teaching-observations sheets can be reduced to three-by-five-inch or other convenient format, are flexible, and help the…

This article provides an overview of some of the recent developments in assessing social skills of children, as well as best practices in conducting assessment and linking assessment to effective intervention. Naturalistic behavioral observation and behavior rating scales are proposed as first-line choices for social skills assessment. (Contains…