The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is a federally funded, nationwide survey of educational achievement in 10 academic fields. The program is examined to determine whether viable alternatives exist to measure educational achievement. The information produced by NAEP concerns the educational achievement of 9-year-olds;…

This paper offers seven practical suggestions to teachers who are teaching phonics to hard-to-teach children (the learning disabled, the educable mentally retarded, slow learners, and the culturally disadvantaged) and who are not experiencing the success they desire. The suggestions are made under the following topics: (1) cumulative learning and…

Argues for a reexamination of goals and methods of traditional parent involvement which has revolved around the welfare of children rather than emphasizing the benefits for parents themselves. Calls for a reconceptualization of parent involvement based on: (1) being sensitive to family needs, (2) offering real support for families, and (3)…

Provides an overview of economic evaluation, focusing on goals, limitations and methods. Reviews three of the best-known examples of such programs. (Author/NH)

Describes observations of recreational reading material selection by kindergarten and first-grade boys and girls. Discussion covers gender-related preferences in choices of recreational library materials, fiction and non-fiction choices, flexibility in reading choices, and gender roles. Observations made in 1983 and 1984 are appended. Five sources…

This paper describes activities that school counselors can use in their work with adolescents. The suggested activities and resources are divided into three general groups according to purpose: Group 1, fun; Group 2, useful; and Group 3, professional. Group 1 presents ideas for counselors on engaging in enjoyable group sessions. Suggestions…

Data from the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) were used to explore how learning environments within bilingual classes where students perform very well on the Spanish version of the TAAS are shaped by forces surrounding the TAAS and how this shaping process affects teachers. Four elementary schools were selected based on the high…

An explicit curriculum is one that has been carefully designed, pilot tested by teachers and students, and then presented or published. An implicit curriculum is one that is crafted within the thinking processes of individual teachers but not written down or published, and therefore not able to be replicated by others. Based upon the assumption…

Urban schools' test scores are improving, including those for poor and minority children, particularly because of effective school techniques and minimum competency standards. However, urban elementary, not secondary, schools account for most of the improvement, and many educators feel that emphasizing test scores teaches only limited skills, not…

Discusses some of the problems in recent research on sex differences in classroom interaction, and suggests an interaction model of sex equity in the classroom. The model involves three concepts that characterize the transmission and reinforcement of sex role messages: teacher feedback, role opportunity structure, and student mediation. (CM)

Examines previous research on the motivational implications of emphasizing task- versus ego-involved goals in various achievement situations endemic to sports programs and in the context of physical education, proposing that students' and athletes' task involvement should be fostered in order to enhance their motivation to engage in physical…

Argues that science may be presented as a continuing effort to improve existing knowledge. Analyzes a three-month discourse by sixth graders, showing that the basic commitments enabling scientific progress can be realized in elementary schools. Suggests that people need to be able to move freely between scientific and other modes of thought to be…

Argues that, within the elementary classroom, reading aloud sessions that exclude ethnically diverse materials creates a bias in favor of the status quo that is harmful to children's education. Both long- and short-term recommendations are made to teachers who wish to address the needs of their diverse classrooms. (GR)

Considers the effects that disclosure of elementary student records and grades can have on a child's self-esteem, peer relationships, and future school experiences. Examines an elementary school case in which student grades were announced in the classroom. Argues that teachers have a moral and professional responsibility to honor students' rights…