This preliminary case study examined the knowledge and beliefs one seventh grade science teacher to determine: (1) how the teacher's knowledge and beliefs about teaching and learning informed her thinking and actions; (2) what her conception of teaching was; and (3) what were the constraints of the instructional setting. Data was collected from…

Classroom tests developed by seventh- and eighth-grade science teachers (n=23) and mathematics teachers (n=18) were analyzed by panels of content and measurement experts. The 41 participating teachers, each of whom contributed 2 tests, completed a questionnaire, an interview, and 2 measures of competence in testing. Teachers used all major item…

This report focuses on the supply/demand of mathematics/science (M/S) teachers in Illinois, evaluating four major assumptions made about these teachers. Each assumption is identified and examined in terms of whether the Illinois data support/reject the assumption. These assumptions are: (1) Supply of M/S teachers is insufficient to meet demand;…

Provided are results of a study (which is replicated annually) designed to identify specific areas of science and mathematics teacher supply/demand inconsistencies in the State of Iowa. Data are summarized on the number of graduates from teacher education institutions in Iowa completing preparation for a teaching certificate for the years 1970-82.…

Five years of data related to teachers' perceptions of learning and knowledge were analyzed to ascertain whether differences existed between preservice elementary and secondary science students (N=435). These data were generated from a questionnaire derived from assumptions about learning and knowledge. The assumptions address five areas of…

Results are reported of an investigation of the relationship between preservice teachers' cognitive developmental level and their ability to teach effectively during student teaching. Other variables, including teacher locus of control, SAT verbal and math scores, and teaching effectiveness, were also examined. Elementary (N=22), middle school…

Questionnaires sent to participants and their principals were used to evaluate the academic year institute programs attended by 572 secondary teachers of science and mathematics at selected Southeastern universities. Some 348 participants responded. Of these 148 were no longer teaching at the secondary level. More than two-thirds of the…

This study evaluated a science professional development initiative developed by the Delaware State Department of Education, examining the nature of professional development activities, their effect on science classrooms, and their impact on teachers, students, and schools. The Science Van Project integrated technology and inquiry into Delaware's…

Presents several instructional techniques. Discusses cueing, set, continuous reinforcement, and using positive feedback. Considers the learning styles of students and the type of classroom that is conductive to learning. Provides examples. (MVL)

Describes a faculty-development program designed to change teacher attitudes, behavior, and instruction and, thus, improve the achievement of language-minority students in two New York state secondary schools. Examines challenges to creating and maintaining school structures that promote immigrant students' success and identifies factors that lead…

We studied the outcome of a professional development opportunity that consisted of 2-week-long resident institutes for teams consisting of a secondary science teacher and two students. The science content of the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded professional development institute was monarch butterfly ecology. The first institute took place…

A job analysis was conducted to define a knowledge domain necessary for newly licensed (certified) general science teachers to perform their jobs competently. The results of the job analysis will be used to develop test specifications for the Praxis II Subject Assessment in General Science. An initial draft domain of important knowledge statements…

To ensure effective evaluation, classroom teachers should have consistent views of the nature of educational measurement and evaluation. An 11-component model of educational measurement and evaluation was developed from a literature review. Based on this model, an instrument, the Conceptualization of Educational Measurement and Evaluation Scale…

As part of an ongoing study of the content knowledge, instructional beliefs, and instructional practices of middle school, high school, and college science teachers, the hypothesis that there are systematic differences across academic levels in these teachers' conceptual understanding of the same content-specific subjects was studied. Eight middle…

This study addressed issues raised in the literature on science and mathematics teacher certification testing concerning the validity of job analysis data and the test domain defined by the job analysis. More specifically, the issues addressed are those associated with race, gender, and age. Questionnaires were sent to 2,801 mathematics and 2,468…