Although it is a skill that is often ignored, handwriting is an important aspect of education, especially at the elementary school level. Word processors are not always available, and there is frequently a need to write something that others must read. Students should receive instruction in specific handwriting problems, and it is best if learners…

This paper suggests that although good attitudes towards science on the part of teachers are very important in teaching, attitudes are difficult to measure. Prospective candidates for teaching should be chosen because they have good attitudes toward science coupled with an adequate self-concept. Prospective science teachers need adequate…

Assessment procedures for school principals need to be valid, reliable, and utilitarian. They should emphasize the humane elements of the school setting, and they should reflect a concern for a safe school environment. Breaking these requirements into component parts allows the development of five-point Likert scales teachers may use to assess…

Principals are increasingly being held accountable for student achievement in the public schools, but there are many questions about how to assess principals' achievement. There are many problems with using the results of standardized testing to assess the achievement of principals. Feedback from teachers appears to be a good way to assess the…

Students individually or in committees with teacher guidance need to develop a portfolio to indicate the quality of school work that has been accomplished. Student portfolios are a purposeful collection of work that illustrates the students' efforts, progress, and achievement in given areas. Portfolios provide ongoing and authentic records of…

This paper considers some of the similarities and differences between education and business in view of the fact that there are many who advocate that the public schools follow a business model in their operations. Salaries of executives in education, and superintendents in particular, tend to be lower than those of business executives, and their…

The social studies curriculum should be assessed continuously to bring in the latest research, trends, and recommendations of experts. A survey of teachers, administrators, parents, and other community members may be conducted to determine preferences for the curriculum. An effort should be made to decide what is in the curriculum and what should…

This guide contains suggestions for interpreting educational research results and, indirectly, makes suggestions for research report writers. The purpose of the study and hypotheses should be stated clearly. Several approaches to reporting statistical results are outlined, and some suggestions are made for evaluating the results of…

Teachers have a stake in determining the qualifications of evaluators of teacher effectiveness. Teachers are justified in demanding that the evaluators be highly competent and well trained, especially when judgments about a teacher's worth or merit are being made. To the extent that administrators must be confindent that the evaluations on which…

Multi-media instruction needs to be adapted to assist students in achieving objectives of instruction. Multi-media approaches need to stress quality sequence, and also need to provide a meaningful context for student learning. The developers of multi-media class resources should provide for diverse styles of learning and need to develop materials…

Materials to use in geography instruction and ways to evaluate student learning in geography are described. Portfolios are a good way to determine whether students have achieved the desired objectives in geography. Portfolios also require that the student be involved in both learning and assessment. For learning to use maps and globes, student…

Leadership can improve reading curriculum in numerous ways. Teachers and supervisors show leadership in the way they decide how to teach and maintain students' attention; structure lessons; motivate students; give individualized attention; assess students; and solve problems. Reading supervisors provide leadership to students as well as teachers,…

Decision-making in reading instruction can be made by the classroom teacher or through scripted materials, such as teacher manuals. Teachers have undergone schooling and certification, and thus are qualified to make decisions concerning objectives of the curriculum, learning opportunities for students, and assessment methods. Programmed reading…

State mandated tests are being implemented in the public schools, but states differ greatly in the complexity of their tests, making comparisons very difficult. States may have widely different definitions of what counts as proficient, and it is evident that state standards are set arbitrarily. It is also important to consider the relationship of…

The testing and measurement movement has certainly become important in United States education. Test scores are looked upon as being quite valuable in ascertaining student achievement, especially in the reading curriculum. Percentiles, standard deviations, stanine scores, and other indicators are given to show objectively how well the reading…