This article describes the design and implementation of an assessment instrument for Numbers and Operations, the first course in a program to train elementary mathematics specialists. We briefly describe the course and its content, and then we elaborate on the process we used to develop the assessment instrument and the corresponding rubric for…

The context and nature of teacher efficacy beliefs provide a method upon which to explore science teachers' perceptions of their teaching effectiveness and student achievement as a function of ethnicity. Promotion of a more in-depth knowledge of science teaching efficacy requires cross-sectional and longitudinal investigations. In this study, a…

Describes a program employed for teaching a science methods course. The goal of individualized instruction may be achieved by adopting a learning contract system. The appendix includes examples of contracts used in this program. (PS)

The author questions the over-emphasis on the value of statistical research in education at the expense of clinical and subjective research. (CP)

Junior high school students rated the expository method of teaching better than the laboratory and discovery approaches. (CP)

Reports on study to determine whether pupil-inquiry method is superior to a teacher-directed method of teaching Time, Space, and Matter to eighth graders. Results indicate inquiry method more effective in developing understanding of the methods of science, but shows no difference for critical thinking and learning of science facts and principles.…

This research examined the strategy of writing a mathematics problem on the chalk board and asking "who in the class can solve it?" as a means of assessing the mathematics achievement or attitude of a sixth-grade mathematics class. The strategy was found to be unreliable. More evidence is needed. (Author/MA)

Describes the strategy used in a study designed to evaluate the impact and efficacy of the National Science Foundation Comprehensive Program for Teacher Education. The data from this study had not yet been analyzed, and results are therefore not included in the paper. (JR)

A recently developed and validated group assessment instrument, the Piagetian Logical Operations Test (PLOT), is described focusing on how teachers can use PLOT in improving learning in science classrooms. PLOT is an untimed 51-item instrument consisting of 13 content, 18 decision, and 20 reason items. (MP)

Two questions are addressed: (1) What is Competency-Based Education (CBE); and (2) What are some persistent questions which need solutions in CBE? CBE is seen to be a unique and powerful vehicle which teachers can use to deliver instruction according to a student's needs. (MP)

Studies the relationship between teacher (n=7) beliefs about mathematics and the learning and teaching of mathematics, and their respective students' (n=138) beliefs about mathematics. Finds that this group of teachers practiced what they believed and that these practices affected what their students believed about mathematics. (Author/CCM)

A mathematics methods course is described in which peer teaching is used. Topics for lessons are selected from those appearing in professional journals. Evaluation and discussion of each person's lesson is carried out by the whole class. (JP)

Describes and explains an instrument (SATIC) developed at Florida State University which allows teachers to make an objective self-evaluation regarding verbal behavior. The instrument is designed to measure the type and amount of verbal behavior exhibited by a teacher during a lesson. (JR)