Suggests that because of deficiencies in the statistical analysis and errors of inference, neither the conclusions nor the policy recommencations derived by Coleman are well supported. (Author/AM)

Reviews the following claims of situated learning: action is grounded in the concrete situation in which it occurs; knowledge does not transfer between tasks; training by abstraction is of little use; and instruction must be done in complex, social environments. The authors, focusing on mathematics education, critically evaluate each claim and…

Three fundamental theoretical issues of importance to the work of curricularists are examined: (1) the matter of the technical and the practical; (2) the relation between knowledge and human interests; and (3) the relation between theory and practice. References are made to the critical theory writings of Richard J. Bernstein and Jurgen Habermas.…

Notes that Markle's (April 1975 issue of this journal) summary of the current state of research regarding concept teaching conveys a major misconception and omits a major conception. (Author/AM)

Presents a history of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), focusing on procedural changes from 1969 to date and questions whether NAEP results should be used for accountability purposes. It recommends that NAEP should be insulated from reform efforts and that NAEP's monitoring of population levels of educational achievement…

Summarizes issues raised by E. D. Wong (1995) on the teacher as researcher that argued the presence of conflict of purpose and conduct. Argues that while conflict of purpose or conduct may not exist, tension does exist in terms of research time and tasks. Further argues that the conflict-versus-compatibility issue can be transcended. (GR)

Responds to critical commentary about the authors' article, "The Great Speckled Bird" (1993), which addressed educational policymaking within a social context characterized by multicultural backlash. The authors point to their critics' attempts to deflect from the article's main focus, how these educational policies came to be, by…

The sexually charged "Kids" was one of the most controversial films about teenage sexuality and youth of 1995. The pessimism and one-dimensionality of the film foster a conservative pedagogy and politics that fail to break dominant discourse about subordinate youth in this country. (SLD)

Argues against Richard S. Prawat's (1995) assertion that Dewey did not favor an activity-oriented, child-centered approach to learning. Also, it disagrees with Prawat's belief that meaning, for Dewey, was not just between people, but was also between events and people. Dewey's theories on the importance of language to meanings and the problem of…

Contends that Garrison (1996) overlooks evidence that points to the transactional nature of Dewey's theory on learning and uses Dewey's reconstruction of William James's theory of emotion to support the author's claim that Dewey emphasized activity. Following a brief discussion on intellectualism--that ideas represent the only mode of knowing--the…

Contends that public schools are central to democracy but are not receiving proper support and argues that educational reform policies not grounded in research evidence are incomplete. States that the problems of public schools are poorly defined and documented. Concluding comments state the need for greater investment by American society into the…

States that the 1996 National Education Summit diverts attention from the pressing problems of America's public schools, and highlights those areas needing greater attention. Argues for greater focus on corporate and governmental responsibility for children's educational environment, especially the physical conditions of schools. Concluding…

Discusses the problems of using alternative certification for public school teachers and explains why this departure from traditional teacher education is not a simple solution for bolstering the ranks of quality teachers. Issues surrounding recruitment, preparation, and teacher shortages in urban schools are also addressed. (GR)

Responds to T. Hatch's article "If the 'Kids' Are Not 'Alright,' I'm 'Clueless'" (1996) which raised questions about the quasi-documentary film "Kids" and its relevance for addressing questions of representation of youth in the media. Considers what educators might use in connecting strategies of understanding and intervention…

Replies to E. A. Hanushek's questioning of the validity of meta-analysis as used by the authors in analyzing resource allocation and its effects on improving student academic performance. Statistical analysis procedures are examined. (GLR)