Elementary school teachers are commonly known to have low self-efficacy in mathematics and science. Previously conducted research on science teaching self-efficacy and content knowledge has often focused on whether methods courses, professional development or other interventions improve both self-efficacy and content knowledge among elementary…

It is not enough for students to acquire knowledge about how food is produced and processed; they must also come to understand the biological and environmental contexts in which food production, processing, and transportation take place. Through diagramming, students begin to understand that our food system has a series of interacting parts and…

This guide provides information on conducting a detailed program analysis using the New York State Program Evaluation Test in Science. The test consists of two required components (Objective Test and Manipulative Skills Test) and five optional components (Student Science Attitudes Survey; Student Science Program Environment Survey; Administrator…

Developed to complement existing elementary science programs, the materials in this second volume of New York's Elementary Science Supplement emphasize an experiential, hands-on approach for children aged 7-9. Major sections include guidelines for program activities, (the format of this publication); correlating syllabus and program, (including a…

Presented is an elementary school science program designed to offer a basic continuum of process objectives and concepts. A brief history of the development of the Wappingers Central School District's Elementary Science Committee is presented to help lay the groundwork for the redesigning of the science program described. Potential advantages…

This four-part publication is designed to assist New York school personnel in designing local elementary science programs that will help students increase their scientific literacy. Part I addresses various topics related to implementing a local elementary science program, considering local planning, Regents goals, science instruction, time…

This publication developed by the New York State Education Department with the cooperation of the University of the State of New York, is a curriculum guide for elementary science (grade 4-6). This guide is organized around 6 large subject areas: (1) Living things; (2) Our growing bodies; (3) Air, water and weather; (4) The earth and its…

The Mathematics-Science Integration Project is a continuation of an ongoing series of inservice workshops oriented towards the professional development of elementary school teachers and early secondary school mathematics and science teachers. The teachers served by this project included 75 elementary school teachers, 35 middle/junior high school…

Although Vermont was the first to initiate a statewide portfolio assessment program, two other states are making progress using this approach. Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) is experimenting with portfolios kept by junior high students in music, visual arts, and writing. New York has an ambitious hands-on program to test fourth graders' science…

Explores the ethical issues involved in using standardized tests to implement a state-level policy. Examines the fourth grade science program evaluation test administered in New York State for the first time in 1989. A utilitarian view of ethics ignores the consequences of testing for different constituents, obviates caring behavior, and damages…

This report presents the results of a three-year educational partnership that supports a unique interdisciplinary team approach to professional development. The Sage Colleges collaborated with two school districts to enable educators to align content and standards; draw upon a bank of assessment vehicles, questions, and assignments; create…

An instructional television program, "Place of Doors," developed by the New York State Education Department's Bureau of Educational Communication to teach science, ecology, health, social studies, and consumerism to fourth graders was evaluated. The program was used to provide mainline rather than supplemental instruction. Nine hundred…

Driven by Goals 2000 legislation, partnerships involving schools, businesses, and universities are preparing students for technically sophisticated workplaces. The Kids at Work project initiated by Project SMART (Science/Mathematics Applied Resources for Teaching) is a New York State validated approach to improving elementary math and science…

Project SMART (Science and Mathematics Applied Resources for Teaching) is a cooperative partnership of schools, area industries, and the State University of New York at Oswego. In Project SMART's "Kids at Work" program, students learn that math and science skills are needed to reach their career goals, as students make field excursions…

After an introduction by the Commissioner of Education, chapters I and II of volume 1 cover reports from the Mosely Educational Commission to the United States. Chapter III addresses proceedings instituted to execute the Rhodes Scholarship Trust. Subsequent chapters cover French education, agriculture teaching in French and Belgian schools,…