Background: The relation between academic self-concept and achievement has been examined in a large number of studies. The majority of these studies have found evidence for a reciprocal effects model. However, there is an ongoing debate on how students' achievement should be measured and whether the type of achievement indicator (grades, tests,…

Purpose: The study is a two-stage inquiry into the influence of high school principals and department chairpersons on the nature of science and mathematics teachers' community of practice participation. Of particular interest is the extent to which formal leaders influence the formation of productive communities of practice and the extent to which…

Students (n=59, ages 13-22) in classrooms for the educably mentally retarded were interviewed regarding their attitudes toward computer use in school settings. Results showed a variety of complex beliefs and opinions about computer usage. The majority of students liked using computers and felt they learned "more" when they used computers.…

A major concern of science educators is the lack of talented females selecting science careers. In spite of attempts during the past few decades to create equality in all facets of life in the United States, many sexual stereotypes persist. The research presented here is designed to examine the relationship of sex to the relevant factors…

Compares models of the classroom dynamics for a traditional laboratory setting and a problem-solving-centered environment, both at the eighth grade science level. Descriptive data indicate no differences in the models, whereas path analyses suggest that, in the problem-solving model, student behaviors significantly correlate to lesson structure,…