This book presents a comprehensive overview of univariate and multivariate generalizability theory, a psychometric model that provides a powerful approach to the analysis of errors of measurement through the use of random-effects and mixed-model analysis of variance. (SLD)

This volume reflects the impact of postmodern critical thinking on models of human service practice. It demonstrates the values of practice informed by critical theory but does not present adequate empirical support for its effectiveness and Stringer's model is not illustrated through a case study. (SLD)

The reliability of a gain is determined by the reliabilities of the components, the correlation between them, and their standard deviations. Reliability is not inherently low, but the components of gains in many investigations make low reliability likely and require caution in the use of gain scores. (SLD)

The critiques by L. Collins and L. Humphreys in this issue illustrate problems with the use of gain scores. Collins' examples show that familiar formulas for the reliability of differences do not reflect the precision of measures of change. Additional examples demonstrate flaws in the conventional approach to reliability. (SLD)

Presents two reviews of "The Evolution of American Educational Technology" (Paul Saettler), a detailed history of educational technology that is organized chronologically into particular movements. Saettler's responses to the critiques are also included. (SLW)

Reviews Karmiloff-Smith's "Beyond Modularity," suggesting that her work highlights phenomena that seem counter intuitive when regarded from current developmental frameworks, and advocates that understanding them requires more complex perspectives than can be supported by either extreme nativist or domain-general models of cognitive…

Discusses nine texts that describe the persistence and dedication that are so often the attributes of a good teacher and texts that discuss studies of classroom practices. (PRA)

Two books are reviewed: "The Discourse of Advertising," by Guy Cook, and "Competing Discourses, Perspectives and Ideology in Language," by David Lee. Each focuses on several issues central to discourse studies as the catalyst of critical thought and critique of traditional methods in language and linguistics. (Contains one…

Reviews two books: (1) "The Nursery World of Dr. Blatz," by Jocelyn Matcher Raymond, describing W. E. Blatz's accomplishments in early childhood education (ECE); and (2) "Early Education: The Current Debate," by Joyce Watt, examining the purpose and effectiveness of ECE with respect to children, parents, communities, services, and curricula. (AC)

Describes this special double issue, which presents work on the topic of volition related to education. "Volition" entails plans to sustain motivation and implement goals, along with strategic regulation of cognition and affect in the completion of tasks. The first issue presents a theoretical overview of volition, and the second…

Maintains that strengths of Olson and Torrance's work include its balanced focus on child and curriculum. Argues that the book neglects affective, social, and cultural aspects of development. Argues that the book's avoidance of ethnic categorization could encourage or justify avoiding issues of differences in human development and equity in…

Asserts that this text by Matthews is a remedy to the scant attention paid to philosophical questioning by children. Describes the book's attempt to set children's philosophical questions against a re-examination of children's art and literature, legal issues regarding children's autonomy, and psychological models of the child's cognitive and…

The book reviewed is a compendium of current thinking about measurement theory and test use. It includes content by 26 authors at 3 levels: (1) accessible to educators, policy makers, and graduate students; (2) suited for technical students; and (3) written for qualified measurement specialists. Strengths and weaknesses are noted. (SLD)

The overriding assumption of Lillian Weber's work as revealed in this collection of her speeches and writings is that the interface between teacher and child is the center of educational effectiveness, and that the success of education depends on the teacher's ability to draw the child's own meaning-making into classroom life. (SLD)

Analyzes the contents of "Journal of Personnel Evaluation in Education" (JPEE) since its inception in 1987. Concludes that the JPEE has published a comprehensive array of evaluation theory and practice articles, and that the journal is highly oriented toward teacher evaluation and dominated by U.S. authors. (Author/SLD)