The UTeach teacher development program prepares secondary science and mathematics teachers from recruited STEM majors in their field in numerous universities across the United States. A newly modified version of the Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (CLES) was used to evaluate differences among the preservice teachers' perceptions of the…

This study investigates associations between the classroom environments perceived by high school students and their level of mathematics anxiety. A revised and updated version of the Plake and Parker Revised Mathematics Anxiety Ratings Scale (RMARS) was used to assess students' mathematics anxiety. A revised version of the What is Happening in…

This monograph provides teachers and teacher trainees with practical assistance in evaluating and documenting school-level innovations. Authentic and concrete illustrations culled from reports of evaluations of innovative projects funded by the Australian Schools Commission are featured. Examples are used to illustrate seven major aspects which…

Research on three classroom environment instruments is discussed, including predictive validity studies and criterion validity studies. A heuristic model involving curriculum, aptitude, environment, and learning is used to conceptualize the variables' roles in curriculum evaluation research. Evidence suggests that curriculum influences classroom…

Summarizes a report evaluating two Western Australian "Senior Colleges" designed to offer viable secondary education alternatives to students above the compulsory schooling age. The evaluation used both qualitative and quantitative methods. The most striking finding was the colleges' success in creating a positive ethos for students and…

To facilitate science teachers' use of classroom climate assessments, economical short forms of the Classroom Environment Scale, Individualized Classroom Environment Questionnaire, and My Class Inventory were developed. Each instrument contains only 25 items and is amenable to easy hand scoring. Developmental procedures, reliability, validity, and…

Explores associations between students' (n=1,592) perceptions of their chemistry laboratory classroom environment and their attitudes towards chemistry. Findings indicate significant associations between the nature of the chemistry laboratory classroom environment and the students' attitudinal outcome. "Integration" and "rule…

Despite a strong tradition of research and practical applications involving perceptions of psychosocial environment in elementary and secondary science classes, surprisingly little analogous work has been conducted at the tertiary level. Consequently, in order to facilitate such work, a new instrument called the College and University Classroom…

The Learning Environment Inventory (LEI) measures student perceptions of the social climate of high school classrooms. The My Class Inventory (MCI), a simplified version of the LEI, is suitable for younger children 8 to 12 years of age. This manual is a revised version of a 1976 manual (previously revised in 1971). In addition to its many…

This paper describes a recently developed test battery which measures inquiry skills relevant to social studies teaching. The test is used to assess entry-level inquiry skills and to monitor student achievement progress. Field tested among Australian junior high school students, the test was shown to be reliable and valid. (BC)

The authors focus on a work experience program for mildly intellectually impaired children. The design and results of the program evaluation are outlined using a systems model to conceptualize its inputs, process, and outputs. (Author/SB)

Reports on a classroom environment study done in agricultural science classes aimed at developing a valid classroom-environment instrument for Nigerian agricultural science classes. The instrument will be used to investigate links between classroom environment and student outcomes. Contains 57 references. (DDR)

Describes improvements and extensions made to a battery of the five attitude scales for science teaching to form a seven-scale Test of Science-Related Attitudes (TOSRA). (GA)

Discusses results of a study which found that attitudes toward school social studies declined with grade level among a random sample of 1,600 students in sixth through ninth grades in schools in a north central state in the United States and compares results with a survey of attitudes of 1,817 students in 17 schools in Melbourne, Australia. (DB)

Compares 1,547 aims of science education culled from the literature to the 33 aims of the Australian Science Education Project (ASEP). Places aims into 11 categories, then calculates proportion of total aims fafalling into each category. Rank correlation of literature aims and ASEP aims was 0.90. (MLH)