Children cannot be truly literate without knowing about history, science, art, music, literature, civics, geography, and more. Indeed, they cannot satisfactorily comprehend what they read unless they possess the background knowledge that makes such comprehension possible. Yet most American primary schools have been marching in the opposite…

Challenging the assumption that access to technology is pervasive and globally balanced, this book explores the real and potential limitations placed on young people's literacy education by their limited access to technology and digital resources. Drawing on research studies from around the globe, "Stories from Inequity to Justice in Literacy…

There is a mutual dependence between poverty and academic achievement, creative pedagogies for low-income pupils, school models that "beat the odds", and the resiliency of low-income families dedicated to the academic success of their children. This book examines the connection between poverty and literacy, looking at the potential roles and…

"Changing Schools" places educational and social aims at the centre of a discussion of educational change. It draws on 14 case studies to explore school change which is oriented towards social justice and democracy. In an age of global mobility, economic polarization and unprecedented environmental and cultural challenges, the education…

The studies in this volume explore a number of issues in education today. One paper reveals what actually motivates teachers to develop their career, another, how to teach primary teachers to talk about visual art. Children's artworks were explored in one article to see how they relate to their adjustment to school. In another, a case study was…

This book explores four interrelated themes: rethinking civic education in light of the diversity of U.S. society; re-examining these notions in an increasingly interconnected global context; re-considering the ways that civic education is researched and practiced; and taking stock of where we are currently through use of an historical…

The chapters of this theme issue describe 11 book-based literacy projects conducted in a variety of countries. In these programs, a "flood" of high-interest books is placed in classrooms, and teachers are shown how to use them to improve children's literacy levels and their attitudes toward literacy. Articles make the case for extending these…

With the advent of new technologies, more convenient and effective ways of learning are being adopted. However, despite the growing advancements there remains a lack of literature in applications of using these technology teaching approaches. This book offers in-depth analysis of new technologies in blended learning that promote creativity,…

This yearbook consists of five sections, with samples of children's work appearing between sections. Part 1, "Perspective on Change in Elementary School Mathematics," describes and discusses broad components of change in elementary school mathematics. The central roles of problem solving, communication, and reasoning are highlighted, as is the…

Seven papers present research perspectives on how schools can nurture a collaborative relationship between parents and teachers to enhance student learning. Topics include the ways schools involve parents; the ways schools draw on home learning; programs in action; studies of parents, children, and teachers; and contextual and organizational…

This collection of four papers deals with problem solving and the measurement of problem solving. "Climbing Up the Competence Ladder: Some Thoughts on Meaningful Assessment of Problem-Solving Tasks in the Classroom" by K. C. Cheung uses the metaphor of a competence ladder to represent the problem-solving continuum with progressive…

Easily accessible publications which report procedures and results of real evaluation studies of inservice teacher education are lacking. Therefore, this collection of case studies was initiated by the Association for Teacher Education in Europe (ATEE) to provide some practical help for practitioners. The first section of the volume is a general…

Five articles and a commentary on curriculum-based assessment (CBA) are presented. Article topics include a comparison of CBA models, computer applications, development of written retell for CBA in secondary programs, development of math skills in low-achieving high school students via CBA, and methods of summarizing trends in student achievement.…

The eight chapters of this theme issue discuss recent research and theory concerning computer-based integrated learning systems. Following an introduction about their theoretical background and current use in schools, the effects of using computer-based integrated learning systems in the elementary school classroom are considered. (SLD)

Three papers are presented that summarize current project findings from a study of the actual effects of introducing new forms of assessment at the classroom level. All focus on aspects of performance assessment as an alternative to traditional assessments. "Effects of Introducing Classroom Performance Assessments on Student Learning" by Lorrie A.…