One component of the Maryland School Performance Assessment Program (MSPAP) is the state's performance-based assessments, criterion-referenced tests that require students to apply what they know and can do to solve problems and display other higher-order thinking skills. This document helps parents, teachers, students, and other citizens…

This document, one of four volumes comprising the 1995 Goals Report, is the fifth in a series of annual reports. This document provides in-depth information for on the progress toward the National Education Goals at the national level. The report is divided in sections pertaining to Goals 1-8. Each section discusses the Goal, identifies…

This report is the result of an independent evaluation of a project conducted during the 1990-91 school year with 56 teachers and over 1,800 students from 28 elementary schools in Iowa. The goals of the project were to demonstrate the effectiveness of new technology to improve science and geography instruction at the elementary level; train…

This study tested the hypothesis that cooperative learning practices in heterogeneous classes would enhance students' academic motivation and achievement. Half the seventh graders entering a junior high school were randomly assigned to hetergenous classrooms in which their teachers implemented Student Team Learning (STL) techniques (Slavin, 1986).…

Active learning is an important element of course design. It has, however, not been integrated in the conduct of class lectures as they have evolved from early, chalkboard-based discussions to newer, multimedia presentation styles. The sophisticated, multimedia presentation styles have forced some rigidity, and have often unintentionally relegated…

Everglades National Park is recognized as one of the most threatened National Parks in the country. Human and technological intervention has affected the park's water resources, fauna and flora through the introduction of foreign species. This curriculum-based activity guide is intended for intermediate grade students. It has been designed from a…

This study documented elementary teachers' reported practices in mathematics, science, social studies, literature, art, and music. The study also identified the extent to which teachers espoused instructional goals and practices associated with teaching for understanding compared with basic skills approaches. Respondents were 678 elementary school…

An approach to educational research that is receiving renewed attention is participatory action research (PAR), which emphasizes a bottom-up approach to research as well as useful outcomes. PAR is a philosophy, and not a methodology per se. It is a deliberate, goal-directed, structured, and applied means of obtaining information that looks to…

The in-service training program described in this report was implemented by the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), Pennsylvania, in order to help vocational educators and administrators to develop skills in computer applications, software evaluation, and computer-based training. After providing background on the project, the report…

This study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of software packages for use in Texas vocational agriculture programs and to recommend strategies for future inservice educational needs of vocational agriculture teachers. The population surveyed comprised the nine teacher education programs in agricultural education in Texas, in which…

This document provides measurement devices to help meet the needs of student learners for feedback on teaching behavior and the requirements of supervising teachers for information about student performance. (The term "student learners" as used here refers to high school students being trained in a laboratory program.) A master's project essay,…

These instructional materials are intended as a guide for the instructor of a block course in introductory vocational data processing. A textbook and supplementary materials of the instructor's choice would probably be used in conjunction with these materials. Topics covered in the 11 units are background and uses of data processing, input/output…

The Test of Enquiry Skills (TOES) is a group test designed to measure inquiry skills of junior high school students studying science, social sciences, or general studies. TOES is comprised of nine separate scales, each consisting of multiple-choice items. The following skills are measured: reference skills, including library usage, indexes and…

This California examination teacher guide provides essential information and preparation guidelines for teachers and serves as an instructional aid in the classroom. The guide deals with the disciplines of economics, government/civics, and United States history. Each discipline area is divided into five main sections: (1) "Test Content"…

This study identifies the institutions of higher education which are the most productive in the number of degrees in mathematics, engineering, and science (MSE) awarded to minority students (African Americans, American Indians, and Hispanics). Using 1992-93 data, the study focused on the 17 states (and Puerto Rico) in which minority students…