Education in general and specific educational projects fit into the construct of the allocation of investment resources that is basic to economic theory. Two techniques of computing returns to education and education projects are benefit-cost ratios and rates of return, which both rely on measuring costs and benefits. While measuring costs is…

This guide is intended for local- and state-level vocational education administrators, planners, and evaluators who are responsible for making program planning and evaluation findings and decisions geared toward increasing program relevance. The method differs from more traditional approaches in its heavy reliance upon the selection and…

This National Education Association research survey forms a profile of the American public school teacher and provides information covering a 25-year period from 1961-86. The survey offers insights about trends in the composition of the teaching profession, the characteristics of teaching service, and the changing position of teachers in society.…

Two topics that are important for improving the teaching of science in the elementary grades are: (1) the availability of classroom science materials and equpment; and (2) teacher improvement in subject matter competencies, instructional skills, and familiarity with technology. A workshop was developed to help teachers develop instructional…

This paper discusses the results of a field study that attempted to answer questions related to science curriculum renewal in the province of Saskatchewan. The purposes of the field study were to obtain educators' reactions to proposals for change in the science curriculum, assess teachers' needs for science teaching, and determine the nature and…

Reasons for poor performance in mathematics by students in the United States are discussed. According to the authors, too many students never experience arithmetic at a physical, concrete level. Students are drilled in arithmetic facts without any meaningful context and are given few opportunities to use numerical concepts in real-life…

A rethinking of the major concepts held about the post-industrial society presents educators with the challenge of translating research insights into the praxis of everyday life to improve students' employability. Forecasters of an "information society" where Americans engage only in services and communications forget that an…

Although the research base on teaching, learning, and effective schools has expanded, the results of that research have been implemented only to a limited degree, either in the classroom or in the training of teachers. One of the accusations that have frequently been made against teacher education is that it does not use a theoretical,…

This report, addressed to the broad audience of cognitive scientists, examines research on cognitive change. In the introduction, background considerations are made, previous research is reviewed, and the report itself is outlined. The first chapter, "Finding Goals Outside the Laboratory," discusses how laboratory tasks can obscure research goals…

This research sought to identify reasons why the study of science was being rejected by girls and Polynesian students. From eight schools chosen to give a representative coverage of ethnic grouping (Maori, European, Pacific Island) and type (single sex, coed, rural, urban, primary, intermediate, secondary), 20 Form 1 to 4 classes were administered…

This report discusses diverse economic issues involved in educational reforms aimed at improving economic growth. The focus is on elementary and secondary education in the southeastern United States. After a general overview of the economics of educational reform, section I discusses the issues involved in modeling and estimating the linkages…

This study addressed whether the educational impact of a zoo visit can be enhanced through the provision of appropriate instructional supports such as preparatory trainings or orientations. One important function of the educational process, in contrast to providing direct information or skill development, is to make the learner more sensitive to…

The Biological Science Curriculum Study with support from others conducted a three-year project (ENLIST Micros II) to develop and test a model for implementing educational computing in science courses. Descriptive data on background characteristics, prior experience with microcomputers, and educational level of the leaders and new participants was…

This monograph presents a compilation and review of selected technology education research literature published from 1980 through 1986. The paper seeks to reflect the breadth and variety of disciplined inquiry during this important period as the profession changed its name and focus from industrial arts to technology education. The review is…

A study examined various characteristics of learning environments that promote or retard the development of basic skills proficiency. Data on four school programs--vocational noncooperative, vocational cooperative, general education, and college preparatory--were collected in a repeated measure design via observations, testing, and interviews. A…