While historically aligned to skilled labor and trades, and unlike many European nations, apprenticeship models in the United States have long existed outside the realm of university teacher preparation programs and other professions requiring four-year degrees. With threats of increasing childcare options, teacher shortages and difficulty in…

Providing engaging, rigorous social studies education at the elementary level is a challenge faced by school districts across the country. In K-12 schools nationwide, social studies education is often neglected so that more time can be devoted to ELA and math, both of which have annual standardized tests associated with them that often carry high…

Novice special education teachers have become an integral part of the public and private school systems throughout Pennsylvania. This mixed-methods research study explored the expertise and preparedness of current novice special education teachers. A combination of an electronic survey questionnaire and phone and face-to-face interviews were…

Research Findings: Two exploratory studies explored young children's views of brain function and whether these views can be modified through exposure to a brief classroom intervention. In Study 1, children aged 4-13 years reported that the brain is used for "thinking," although older children were more likely than younger children to…

This case study is one of twenty cases derived from Anderson and Risner's international study of teaching artists in dance, and theatre, which investigated participants' (n=172) artistic and academic preparation in dance, and theatre, initial entry into the teaching artist field, rewards, challenges, and obstacles in participants' work, artists'…

The Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO) reviewed data on 21 states' principal licensure requirements, conducted structured interviews with experts on principal preparation and professional development in 7 states, and spoke with staff at the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Institute for School…

Parent-teacher conferences have been used by school districts across the country to report student progress since the 1930s. A review of the literature revealed that there are many benefits to be gained from conferences. Some of these benefits include: the sharing of information (by parents and teachers) to further the child's academic and social…

This study implemented a qualitative approach to examine the phenomenon of "inquiry-based science pedagogy or inquiry instruction" as it has been experienced by individuals. Data was collected through online open-ended surveys, focus groups, and teacher reported self-reflections to answer the research questions: 1) How do middle level…

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study raised the concern that the United States (US) mathematics teachers place less emphasis on topics and teach a variety of content strands (Goldsmith, Mark & Kantrov, 2000; Kerachsky, 2008). The overall pattern in the US mathematics classrooms today is that primary and upper elementary…

PROGRESS DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF THE OAKLEAF PROJECT, AN INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, WAS SUMMARIZED IN THIS INTERIM REPORT. THE OAKLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SUBURBAN PITTSBURGH WAS USED AS THE PROJECT LABORATORY FOR PRODUCING A CURRICULUM IN AN EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT WHICH WOULD BE RESPONSIVE TO…

THIS PAPER PRESENTS A RATIONALE FOR CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT IN THE PRE-SCHOOL YEARS AND OUTLINES A METHODOLOGY FOR CURRICULUM DESIGN IN GENERAL. AN EXTENSIVE APPLICATION OF THIS METHOD TO THE DESIGN OF AN EARLY LEARNING CURRICULUM WILL BE UNDERTAKEN OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS BY THE PRIMARY EDUCATION PROJECT. THE PROJECT AIMS TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT…

THE OAKLEAF PROJECT WAS A COOPERATIVE STUDY OF THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN MAKING PROVISION FOR INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF REGULAR SCHOOL OPERATIONS. THE OAKLEAF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SUBURBAN PITTSBURGH WAS USED AS A LABORATORY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND TRIAL OF A PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALLY PRESCRIBED INSTRUCTION (IPI). THE IPI…

This description of the Erie Basic Educational Skills (BES) Program provides examples of the achievements made by the Erie Public Schools and Head Start toward BES and Responsive Educational Program goals. Staff positions, staff responsibilities, the curriculum, and programs initiated and carried out in the Erie Public Schools are described. The…

THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF PENNSYLVANIA JOINED IN THEIR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE EDUCATION OF GIFTED PUPILS. A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS SENT TO EACH DISTRICT. FROM THE REPLIES, SEVERAL GENERALIZATIONS WERE MADE REGARDING GIFTED PROGRAMS IN THE STATE. IN SELECTING PUPILS FOR THESE PROGRAMS, THE GENERAL PRACTICE IS TO CONSIDER GROUP INTELLIGENCE SCORES, INDIVIDUAL…

Intended to facilitate the improvement of industrial arts education in Pennsylvania, the guidelines for planning and development emphasize an interdisciplinary approach. They are aimed at professional personnel and are divided into general provisions which are applied (with changes in specific content where appropriate) to elementary, middle…