STEM faculty at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) have partnered with teachers and administrators in the Omaha Public Schools (OPS) to implement a Teacher-Researcher Partnership Program. This program establishes resources and infrastructure that engage K-12 science teachers in scientific research experiences. In the first implementation of…

Today, English language learners (ELLs)--students whose primary language is other than English--are the fastest-growing major school population in the United States. Between 2000-01 and 2010-11, the number of these students, whose level of English proficiency is not sufficient to support learning in a regular English language classroom, rose 18…

The mission of the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools (CYFS) is to advance the conduct of high-quality interdisciplinary research to promote the intellectual, behavioral, and social-emotional development and functioning of individuals across educational, familial, and community contexts. Central to this is…

Several problems exist with the rural knowledge base as it is traditionally conceived: (1) there is no useful rural definition with the diverse rural reality; (2) rural is undervalued as reflected in teacher education and training and in the stereotyping of regions in the country; (3) issues of sparsity, scarcity and size are disregarded, and (4)…

Data from tests of basic mathematical competencies given in 1950, 1965, and 1975 are discussed. Courses successful in providing a foundation of basic skills are noted. (JT)

This study of 12 Nebraska public school districts' boards of education looked at the characteristics of types of people addressing boards on matters that concern them. Public presentations tended to focus on high school issues, curriculum areas, finances, and students. Nine out of 10 public presentations were positive, praising the schools rather…

Data from a 1-year survey of 40 vocational agriculture teachers in Nebraska are presented in narrative analyses and in six tables showing man hours worked: (1) By 27 duty categories, (2) based on student enrollment in vocational agriculture programs, (3) based on number of students in FFA, (4) according to conduct of young farmer classes, (5)…

A study collected descriptive information about 152 Nebraska home economics teachers and their curriculum orientation(s). The questionnaire was adapted from the Curriculum Orientation Profile designed by Babin (1979) and revised by Carlson (1991). Teachers responded to 45 statements on a Likert-type scale. Nine statements reflected each of five…

The purpose of this study was to assess differences in demographic variables, mean attitude score, reliability of response, variability of response, and level of item completion among respondents to an initial survey mailing, to the first follow-up, to the second follow-up, and to a telephone interview. The first mailing included a cover letter,…

In 1985, Nebraska selected Marjorie Brown's philosophical framework as a basis for a curriculum development project. Because inservice efforts to help teachers understand this critical consciousness approach to teaching failed, attention was focused on providing inservice education to help teachers change. The strategy at the University of…

In 1985, the Nebraska State Home Economics Education Council decided to develop curriculum using Marjorie Brown's work on critical consciousness orientation as the philosophic base for decision making. The change to this orientation was challenging and involved many difficulties. The interpretive and critical science components of the research…

Home economics and social studies teachers' perceptions of their ability and use of the reading process were compared. Data were gathered through a reading survey instrument given to 82 home economics teachers who later participated in workshops on integrating the reading process into the curriculum. The same instrument was mailed to 100 randomly…

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate pre- and inservice models for the delivery of informational services to vocational teachers of special needs youth. The preservice model was campus-based and designed for undergraduate vocational students. The inservice model was field-based and designed for vocational teachers presently…

Twelve major papers delivered during this conference on agricultural education in the Northeastern states are included in this volume: (1) "Status of Pennsylvania Special Needs Students in Vocational Agriculture: Phase IV--Job Performance Follow-Up," by Dennis C. Scanlon and Connie D. Baggett; (2) "Education, Age and Experience:…

Among 53 conference papers, are the following: "Perceptions of Administrators, Guidance Counselors, and Science Teachers Concerning Pilot Agriscience Courses" (Johnson, Newman); "Relationship of Supervised Agricultural Experience Program Participation and Student Achievement in Agricultural Education (AE)" (Cheek et al.);…