Discusses the 'back-to-basics' issue, contending that conceptions of educational basics lie within three time frames (ego-time, clock-time, timelessness) and noting that educational decision-makers often defeat their own 'back-to-basics' attempts because they operate almost solely on clock-time due to their specialized training. (SB)

Faced with a problem in which the probability of obtaining the correct answer was 70 percent, 2 of 23 kindergartners and 18 of 19 second graders generated an appropriate strategy. When the probability of a chance correct response was reduced to .45, 23 of 35 kindergartners generated an appropriate strategy. (Author/GDC)

An achievement situation describing two children successfully and unsuccessfully performing task in competitive, cooperative, and individualistic reward structures was presented to 400 children across five grade levels. Results showed that different evaluative beliefs about the concepts of ability and reward allocation were associated with each…

In the second part of her survey of developments in junior schools, the author suggests that a return to more traditional methods and content in response to the current debate may prevent children from reaching the standards of which they are capable. (Editor/RK)

Argues the case for bringing constructive change into the process of teaching and learning the classics. Emphasizes particular teaching approaches combined with a critical evaluation of earlier methods of teaching classics. (RK)

Describes the practice of benchmarking and its use in staffing. Examines benchmarking's roots in quality control and how businesses can establish reference points in pursuing their goals. Includes suggestions on planning benchmarking efforts, strategies for data collection, data analysis, and taking action. Provides a benchmarking code of conduct…

Discusses methods of teaching elementary and secondary school students how to evaluate information found on the Internet. Highlights include evaluation instruments available on the World Wide Web; a lesson plan for fourth graders; and an example of a form for critical evaluation of a Web site at the elementary school level. (LRW)

Analyzes childrens' (ages 10-12) narratives to show how the stories contribute to children's ongoing construction of knowledge and identity. Argues that children's use of reported speech drives the referential and evaluative functions of their stories and that their reproduction and framing of others' and their own voices enables them to reflect…

Analyzes some experiences with peer review and suggests that the process should be reconceptualized as one that involves an attempt to understand what an author is trying to do and helping authors achieve their goals. (DDR)

A parent of a gifted preteen discusses how parents can promote critical thinking in their gifted adolescents. Parents are urged to focus three levels of cognition where critical thinking is believed to take place: analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Examples of positive interactions and questioning techniques are provided. (Contains 1 reference.)…

Discusses the concept of reflective practice developed by Donald Schon in 1983. Presents the questions explored in the five articles contained in this issue. Introduces each article and discusses the topics and recommendations provided by each article. (JS)

Trinity University's philosophy laboratory provides a think tank for philosophy students, allowing them to practice such skills as logic, critical reasoning, and the application of moral responsibility in decision-making by applying their skills to real-life situations. Students, selected as fellows and paid, are divided into teams for projects.…

Proposes three framing assumptions for the study of thinking, involving situated cognition, personal and social epistemologies, and conceptual competence. Outlines evidence consistent with these assumptions, and discusses topics in the psychology of thinking in relation to the assumptions. (Author/BJV)