A specific nontraditional teacher preparation program for mid-career and second-career teachers is the focus of this monograph. The program, implemented at San Jose State University in California, is characterized from multiple perspectives as are the participants and the outcomes. Analysis of this single program and its outcomes illustrates how…

Of all the reform recommendations being made by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, making mathematical connections is among the more difficult to achieve, yet is so helpful in motivating students in the early grades. Mathematical connections can relate mathematical topics to students' daily lives and to other mathematical topics but…

Although alternate definitions for information literacy have been developed by educational institutions, professional organizations and individuals, they are likely to stem from the definition offered in the Final Report of the American Library Association (ALA) Presidential Committee on Information Literacy: "to be information literate, a…

Concepts in consumer education can be arranged into a taxonomy of three primary categories: decision making, resource management, and citizen participation. Consumer programs have these goals: (1) producing competent buyers and users of goods and services; (2) producing competent financial managers; (3) producing an understanding of the economy;…

An informal study found that zoo visitors want to know not just the name, weight, and age of animals in a collection, but also about diet, reproduction, life span, and behavioral characteristics. What kinds of learning opportunities, beyond enhanced signage, can be offered to the sophisticated new breed of visitors in zoos, aquariums, and nature…

This paper presents an overview of the emerging information resources management (IRM) concept and suggests reasons why IRM would be a useful framework for educational institutions. An introductory look at current information problems precedes a review of definitions of information and IRM in the literature, and a definition of IRM as used in this…

This digest focuses on field instruction in school settings. Major areas considered include: (1) factors contributing to the paucity of field activities; (2) whether teacher commitment to the concept of field instruction exists; (3) research on affective-realm educational values of field instruction; (4) research on cognitive-realm educational…

This digest briefly summarizes the contents of the "Civics Framework for the 1998 National Assessment of Educational Progress" in terms of the Framework's development and components including civic knowledge, civic skills, and civic dispositions. The framework may be used to inform and guide curriculum development projects in civics and…

The importance of using computers in a science education class is not limited to computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Computers may also be used as an educational strategy to improve overall learning and computer literacy in students. Research has shown an improvement in academic achievement in students using computers, as well as an increase in…

Three major sections comprise these proceedings of the 1981 Conference of the National Association for Environmental Education. Section I contains four addresses on environmental issues by guest speakers and two symposia, one on synfuels, and the other on acid rain. The twelve essays in Section II give the practitioner's perspective on…

The Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) is a nationwide information system sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI). As part of the National Library of Education, ERIC maintains the largest education database in the world. This document consists of 82 ERIC Digests, which are…

Looking to the year 2000 and beyond, this digest explores the lack of individuals entering the fields of science, especially underrepresented minority students such as Blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians. Sections include: (1) "Changing Demographics"; (2) "Status of Minorities in Science"; (3) "Barriers to…

Of all the reform recommendations being made by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, making mathematical connections is among the more difficult to achieve, especially at the high school level, where so much emphasis is placed on distinct content courses. Mathematical connections can relate mathematical topics to students' daily lives…

This report considers the following issues, trends, and recent activities in science, mathematics, and environmental education: (1) inadequate achievement in knowledge, concepts, skills, and processes pertaining to these subjects; (2) curricula which do not provide the content needed for current and future academic and personal needs, do not…

The literature on faculty research performance is reviewed, with a focus on research by individual faculty members. The literature on the sociology of science and data-based results from sociological studies are emphasized. Attention is directed to measures of performance, the explanations and specific correlates likely to influence high research…