This ERIC Digest discusses various types of homework assignments and examines research findings about the effectiveness and amount of homework assigned to American schoolchildren. It also examines some of the policies presently being discussed by school districts. Three types of homework are briefly delineated: practice assignments, preparation…

This digest brings together the various views on curriculum-related roles for library media specialists. The first section considers reasons why a disparity between theory and practice exists in regard to the involvement of library media specialists as curriculum consultants. Several sources addressing this issue are reviewed in the second…

The involvement of parents in the education of their children is briefly discussed. Discussion focuses on ways to involve parents, ways to reach parents, and difficulties in involving parents. It is asserted that the suggestions offered in this ERIC Digest can help teachers involve parents who might not otherwise be involved. While an individual…

The rapid growth of minimum competency testing (by 1981, 36 states in the United States had mandated some form of minimum competency testing) has led to increased legal challenges of the existing testing programs. Three issues have been raised and are summarized in this brief overview: (1) constitutional claims under the due process clause; (2)…

This brief analysis defines a videodisc, describes the term "interactive video" and distinguishes among three categories of videodisc systems, defined according to the level of interactivity they provide. Advantages and applications of videodisc (e.g., simulations) are noted. A final section describes selected projects focusing on the…

The document presents an annotated bibliography of resources in the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) for teaching social studies skills to elementary and secondary students. It is one of four bibliographies in volume 1 of the TeachERIC Resource Series. The objective of this bibliography is to offer teachers resources which would be…

Observation is an extremely important aspect of science investigations and is one of the process skills that is a focal point in science education. This ERIC Digest describes the importance of process skills, specifically observation, for student learning and discusses implications for teaching and research. (Contains 18 references.) (YDS)

This ERIC Digest points out gaps in the educational reform process that educational researchers experience. An overview of known and unknown facts of reform with the vision of the National Science Education is presented. Characteristics of needed research are also explained. (YDS)

This topical bibliography and commentary addresses methods of alternative, or informal, assessment that have proven effective, and how these methods have been, or can be, established as reliable alternatives to standardized testing. It discusses authentic assessment, forms of alternative assessment (unstructured written activities, unstructured…

This ERIC Digest is designed for teachers in grades K-12 to share a rationale for teaching about oceans and briefly introduce the kinds of resources available to assist with such efforts. Topics include: (1) Why teach about oceans?; (2) Where can I get resources for teaching about the ocean?; (3) Who is doing marine education in my area?; (4) What…

This ERIC Digest provides an overview of concepts, writers, and tenets associated with the study of mathematics and culture and offers researchers a framework for the field, particularly with regard to rural contexts. (Author)

This digest discusses various negative and positive Asian American stereotypes and explores how school practices and individual educators, consciously or unconsciously, may reinforce them. This has important negative social, political, and economic ramifications for Asian Americans. While Asian Americans are often characterized as the "model…

This listing of homeschooling resources and organizations for gifted students lists resources for contests and competitions, curriculum, national standards by subject area, legal information, national home schooling organizations, publications, and Internet resources. Organizational entries usually provide name, address, phone number, and World…

Community studies and an urban focus are returning to the social studies. This digest reviews urban studies from a historical perspective. The first section discusses the value of studying cities, noting that city living is becoming fashionable again, and a movement called the New Urbanism has brought a new appreciation for the social, cultural,…

The ongoing reform of mathematics instruction creates a need to refine students' assessment practices. This digest describes portfolios and provides information about the types, focus, and content of mathematics portfolios. The advantages and disadvantages of portfolio assessment are also discussed, and a list of World Wide Web resources related…