The relationships and possible effects of various personal home and school variables on the acquisition of functional biological, chemical, and physical scientific knowledge by tenth grade Israeli students (n=544) was investigated. Biology was the only subject in which functional knowledge was significantly related to nonformal science activities.…

Reports on a study of 135 Russian and 279 U.S. teachers on the importance of 11 broad educational goals. Finds that U.S. teachers were most committed to basic skills development and critical thinking. Finds that Russian teachers were most supportive of interpersonal understanding, human relations, and ethical well-being. (CFR)

Considers biotechnology's influence on international relations, focusing on agriculture, environmental issues, law, commerce, and biological warfare. Claims that, because biotechnology cuts across international boundaries and affects public and private interests, it necessitates the rethinking of international systems theory. Urges international…

Using data from a nationally representative survey of college faculty teaching introductory courses, a study compared the course planning procedures of faculty (n=2,311) in eight disciplines: English composition, history, sociology, psychology, mathematics, fine arts, languages, and business. No key differences were found between full- and…

Discusses child morbidity, suggesting solutions can be found at the community level. Argues the federal government's role is essential in articulating policy and providing resources. Generates a new morbidity model emphasizing poverty and social factors as crucial influences. Lists priorities for effective, preventive, intervention planning. (NL)

Reviews research on interactive computer learning. Examines the extent to which learner-computer interaction and learner-learner interaction can interfere with or support one another. Finds that viewing collaborative learning as joint negotiation of a common problem helps to define optimal characteristics of educational software. (CFR)

Summarizes the recent changes in the highly centralized national geography curriculum in Japan. Prominent reforms include the implementation of environmental studies in the elementary schools and a broader emphasis, across the curriculum, on world geography. In teacher education, emphasis is now placed on teaching skills rather than subject…

In ongoing development of the Second Chance Teachers Program at an historically African-American university, Xavier University of Louisiana, several strategic adjustments to the realities of recruitment were found necessary to achieve enrollment targets. The program was originally conceived as a project to draw surplus military personnel into…

This report examines the biography, elementary school social studies teaching goals, and specific U.S. history-social studies goals and curriculum mediation practices of one fifth-grade teacher, Ramona Palmer. Daily lessons and classroom teacher-student interactions are described in detail as Palmer moved through a 6-week unit on the American…

This report examines the biography, elementary school social studies teaching goals, and specific U.S. history-social studies goals and curriculum mediation practices of one fifth-grade teacher, Sara Atkinson. Daily lessons and classroom teacher-student interactions are described in detail as Atkinson moved through a 6-week unit on the American…

Papers from a conference on information technology and teacher education are presented. The 225 papers address the following topics: diversity and international perspectives; reading and language arts; mathematics; science; preservice teacher education; the educational computing course; graduate and inservice projects; faculty development;…

This study described ways in which two groups of urban, low-socioeconomic children remained the same and differed after a transition year in skills-based curriculum and a continuing year in whole language curriculum. Both groups had experienced whole language instruction in the first two years in kindergarten and first grade. This investigation…

This document is a guide to the use of alternative assessments (surveys, interviews, observation measures, and performance samples) in a family literacy project. This resource guide focuses on using alternative approaches to identify learners' needs, determine learners' ongoing progress in meeting project objectives, ascertain overall success of…

The Center for the Study of Evaluation of the Graduate School of Education at the University of California at Los Angeles hosted a two-day conference on "Paths to Excellence: Testing and Technology" on July 14-15, 1983. Attended by over 100 educational researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, day one of the conference focused on issues in…

Implemented in the Franklin (Wisconsin) Public Schools during the 1986-1987 school year, this project was aimed at improving citizenship development in high school students through an intensive study of the U.S. Constitution as it relates to the personal lives of citizens. The project's primary objective was to provide a structured program of…