The study of alternative conceptions, or interpretations of ideas which differ significantly from the accepted scientific view at any time, has made rapid progress in the last few years. A detailed review of the field is not provided, rather achievements made and challenges for the future are noted. Areas addressed include: (1) the elucidation of…

The major goal of Project IMPACT (Improve Minimal Proficiencies by Activating Critical Thinking) is to improve student achievement on district tests of basic skill competency. The program seeks to improve student performance on tests requiring critical thinking with emphasis on reading and mathematics. Students involved in Project IMPACT work in a…

The implementation and evaluation of a quality daily physical education program into a 14-room elementary school in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, is reported. The implementation process involved the services of a university professor who served as an external change agent and consultant within the project. The consultant made 20 day-long visits…

Contained in this yearbook are the proceedings of the fifth annual Arizona State University Reading Conference. This edition reflects an emphasis on a wide range of topics, including study skills, oral language, and teaching strategies. Following a foreword, the conference articles discuss the following: (1) study skills across the curriculum, (2)…

The Secondary Student Progress Plan aims to provide uniform educational expectations for successful course completion and progress toward graduation beginning with grade 7 in school year 1984-85. Arranged in outline form, the plan shows the course of study for grades 7-12, guidelines for evaluating and reporting student progress, promotion…

A study was conducted to determine the most salient elements to be incorporated into a curriculum studies course for students in one of the three 2-year teacher training colleges in Swaziland. The course was developed to acquaint prospective teachers with curriculum objectives, methods, and evaluation devices, and to help them to critique some…

Data from the Illinois Census of Secondary School Course Offerings for 1981-82 show that the traditional nature of foreign language study continues relatively unchanged. Students typically begin language study in high school and must take only two years of a language. While the availability of foreign languages in high schools was the same in…

If curriculum designers conclude, as Jacob Bronowski (author of "The Identity of Man," 1965) does, that the mind is not a machine and that knowledge cannot be programmed into humans like computers, then a model for education must be adopted which takes into consideration Bronowski's definitions of knowledge and self. This model must consider the…

Results of a Wingspread conference which focused on future directions in social studies education are presented. Part 1 contains the personal statements of conference speakers. Topics include the restructuring of social studies, what social knowledge is of the greatest worth, how to best prepare enlightened citizens for the 21st century, four…

In spite of the almost universal call for curriculum reform in science education that began over a decade ago, research indicates that very little change is actually happening in a large majority of schools. Perhaps the reason is that teachers need to see a relatively fast, easy way to get started. This article considers some desirable elements of…

Described are activities of the first 2 years of the Chapel Hill Gifted-Handicapped Project, a demonstration program to identify gifted-handicapped and gifted-disadvantaged children (3 to 6 years old) and provide them with a preschool program of enrichment activities and therapy and remediation in developmental areas. Sections address the…

This is a collection of four papers presented at a symposium examining ways in which needs data might be used in decisions about materials development, instructional strategies, assessment strategies, and administrative practices. The issues raised are based on some preliminary experience at the University of Mid-America (UMA) in conducting and…

With the increased use of plastics worldwide the shortage of trained personnel in moldmaking and design for plastic injection molds is becoming critical. Local schools and community colleges should provide courses in mold design and mold making, since most workers presently learn while working under experienced designers on the job. Following this…

As an aid in preservice and inservice teacher education, this handbook is intended to produce a vocational instructor who understands the rationale of bilingual education, is sensitive to the special needs of bilingual and limited-English-proficient (LEP) vocational students, and is not afraid to try new teaching techniques. The six chapters,…

Comprehensive schools are responsible for compulsory education for students from the ages of 6-16 in France. There is a trend to devolve administrative duties from the Central Ministry of Education to the "academies" or regional bodies and to delegate powers to the schools. The responsibilities of the headteacher include making detailed…