Feedback is an essential ingredient for professional growth, but teachers receive limited feedback that is actually useful. Audrey Amrein-Beardsley and Tray Geiger discuss the flaws in two common forms of teacher feedback, value-added measures and classroom observations, often used as part of a summative evaluation. They suggest that student…

The authors describe a promising approach to engaging high school students in intergroup dialogues, relying on "near peers"--in this case, local college students--to facilitate a series of classroom discussions about racial identity, differences, and opportunities to connect. Early results suggest that the approach had significant…

The authors report on two longitudinal studies that explored changes in aspirations, experiences, and attitudes in science over three years among students in California public middle and high schools. One study surveyed an ethnically and economically diverse group of over 400 students who participated voluntarily in 7th through 9th grades, and…

A small school in southern Minnesota, strapped for funds and needing new math books and a fresh curriculum, flipped its classrooms and raised achievement and student engagement. The math teachers led and implemented the changes. Upon reflection, they found 10 good reasons educators should consider flipping their classroom. Among the most…

This article presents a survey designed to investigate what young people know about history. The survey was administered to 2,000 high school juniors and seniors across all 50 states. The students were asked to "jot down the names of the most famous Americans in history," with the caveat that they could not include U.S. Presidents or First Ladies.…

Student opinion polls offer an inexpensive means of improving communication between elements of the college community that tend to have conflicting purposes and perceptions. They permit decision-making on the basis of factual information as opposed to guesswork. (Author/IRT)

Interviews with 204 students in seven secondary schools concerning the activities in school that gave them a sense of accomplishment revealed that 21 percent of the respondents could think of none. Moreover, another 31 percent could think of nothing related to the curriculum that gave them a sense of accomplishment. (Author/WD)

While in general agreement with the Gallup Poll's expression of what is wrong with the schools, the North Carolina high school students surveyed see the major source of difficulty as lack of personal commitment by all those who are most closely involved in public education. (Author/IRT)

Reports on a study conducted among 815 high school students in three schools -- urban, suburban, and rural. The study revealed that 81 percent of the students perceive teachers to be violating the right to respect for their opinions. (Author)

A survey of 14 urban and 28 suburban junior high school students revealed little difference between them on their views of urban schools. Those views were often more favorable than expected. (IRT)

High school job training programs are useful to the students enrolled in them. If such programs are to be even more effective, they should provide the students with more experience, more information about related jobs, and up-to-date tools. (Author)

Seniors in all 13 school districts of a rural county in central New York participated in a survey in which they were asked which of their needs the community and the schools were meeting. Tables present information on the needs the students feel are not being met. (Author/IRT)

Interviews with over 100 middle-school youngsters reveals these adolescents' rich, multidimensional understanding of caring. However, classroom observations showed that most teacher/student interactions were neutral. Students defined caring teacher behaviors as helping with schoolwork, valuing individuality, showing respect, being tolerant,…

Non-Cognitive Assessment Survey is a 40-minute, anonymous survey that measures broad array of sixth through twelfth graders' behavior. Survey is easily administered and costs about $1 per student. A survey of nine elementary schools during 1990-91 revealed a wealth of information about school demography and student attitudes concerning homework,…

Discusses education's long-term role in preventing nuclear war and reports on a three-state survey of 118 high school seniors on their knowledge of nuclear war issues. Describes educational groups' activities around the issues and recounts the author's personal experiences at Hiroshima (Japan) and growing awareness of nuclear problems. (RW)