Intuitively, class size reduction is a good idea. Parents support it because it means that their children will receive more individual attention from teachers. Teachers like it for the same reason and also because it creates a more manageable workload. It is generally assumed that the fewer students in a class, the better they will learn and the…

This paper will review several important constructs in the area of social and emotional development of children in grades 2-5. The importance of social and emotional development has become increasingly evident in light of new research on the brain and the development of programs to prevent social and behavioral disorders in youth. This review will…

This educational-futures literature review examines essential skills students will need to function in an increasingly sophisticated work environment, noting implications for students with disabilities. Results highlight 12 competencies needed to succeed in the future work world. The competencies relate to general skills rather than rigidly…

Blacks's participation in the educational establishment has decreased since 1970 in the following areas: (1) elementary and secondary education; (2) post secondary education; (3) graduate degrees; (4) faculty appointments; and (5) labor force professionals. The decline of minority teachers in American schools will adversely affect all children.…

Reviews social studies curricula developed for classroom use since the 1890s. Examines six categories of differing recommendations. Reveals disparate conceptualizations of what constitutes useful knowledge to attain citizenship objectives. Defines classroom practice as the bottom line, citing findings from recent National Science Foundation…

Explores the cumulative impact of repeated standardized testing on student attitudes and motivation. By high school, a large number of students, especially low achievers, become disillusioned about tests, are less motivated to give genuine efforts, and increasingly use inappropriate test-taking strategies, undermining test validity and genuine…

Explores developmental patterns in children from kindergarten through grade six. Highlights physical development, including height, activity level, motor skills, and health; mental development, including abstract thought, academic focus, learning difficulties, subject preferences, and creativity; psychosocial development, including interpersonal…

Maintains that adaptive help seeking exemplifies how elementary- and middle-school students regulate their own learning and intellectual development. Discusses how parents, teachers, and peers contribute to the development of children's skills and attitudes associated with adaptive help seeking. Traces early help-seeking behaviors in the home and…

This book explores current theory, research, practice, and policy in the assessment of higher order thinking in mathematics, focusing on the elementary and secondary grades. Current knowledge and research on mathematics learning and testing is synthesized. Examples of innovative test items for classroom use and state assessment programs are…

In 1981, Saskatchewan Education initiated a complete review of education in Saskatchewan. As a result of this review, the development of policies based on the concept of a core curriculum was recommended. In 1986, the report of the Core Curriculum Advisory Committee proposed a K-12 policy framework for Saskatchewan schools. In addition to a set of…

Abstracts and abstractors' critiques of 10 published research reports related to misconceptions, attitudes, gender and miscellaneous issues are presented in this issue. Studies include: (1) the development, revision, refinement, and partial validation of an instrument to assess preservice elementary teachers' process orientation toward science;…

This review attempts to summarize the major findings concerning the impact of Head Start that have been reported in the literature published since 1970, and to communicate these results to policymakers, researchers, Head Start program staff, and others. The review constitutes an update of "A Review of Head Start Research since 1969 and an…

An attempt is made to consolidate some of the existing knowledge about important school variables and to propose new studies that will build upon that knowledge. The focus is on providing instruction to students from the orientation of educational psychology and in the context of elementary schools for students from low socioeconomic status…

A survey was conducted among Ontario, Canada teachers, administrators, and parents regarding the following aspects of French-language achievement testing: which standardized and criterion-referenced tests were used; who developed the tests; how test results were used; how school boards communicated test results to parents; what trends existed in…

Traces historical trends in social studies education, examining pressures that have both produced and inhibited change. Analyzes differences between discipline-based and issue-centered approaches. Presents pessimistic, optimistic, and realistic scenarios of the next 100 years of social studies education. Advocates developing issue-centered social…