The purpose of this study was to develop and field test an employment screening instrument for special education teachers. The instrument developed demonstrated good reliability and concurrent validity. Both principals and special education administrators could effectively use the instrument. The instrument shows promise for helping administrators…

This article discusses the development and implementation of a technology-supported student teacher performance assessment that supports integration with a larger electronic assessment system. The authors spearheaded a multidisciplinary team to develop a comprehensive performance assessment based on the Pathwise framework. The team collaborated…

The initiative seeks to create and test a comprehensive, research-based model of professional development that helps teachers integrate technology into their classroom instruction, and ultimately, help students achieve high, challenging standards. McREL defines technology integration as using technology, including computers, digital cameras,…

Describes experiences during the field-testing and development of the Mathematics in Context (MiC) project from the developer and classroom teacher points of view. (ASK)

The author suggests that, by acting locally in various ways, students are better able to transfer what they have learned to an understanding of global concepts. The purpose of the On-Site Science Program is to show K-12 teachers how to use their campuses as environmental laboratories. (LZ)

This article describes the development and field test of an instrument, the Views on Science and Education Questionnaire, designed to measure participants' concepts of the nature of science (NOS) and relevant teaching attitudes. The questionnaire includes 15 questions, each followed by several items representing different philosophical positions.…

Discusses seven strategies that program developers and trainers can use to produce more rapid acquisition, retention, and transfer of work skills, including: discover basic skills and concepts; analyze, define, and field test; produce and verify mastery; teach basic skills and general principles; teach trainees both correct and incorrect examples;…

This three-page guide provides teaching suggestions for learning activities for adult literacy education classes using the book "Missing May" by Cynthia Rylant. This book is about a 12-year-old girl, Summer, who has lived with her Aunt May and Uncle Ob since she was 6 years old. After May's death, Summer, Ob and a neighborhood boy begin…

Gill-breathing freshwater snails (Family "Pleuroceridae") are ecologically important, abundant in many streams in the United States, and easy to collect and maintain under classroom conditions. These snails can be used in classroom tests to demonstrate effects of pollutants on aquatic organisms. In more advanced classes, students can cage the…

This report describes the development of a needs assessment instrument designed to identify competencies necessary for vocational educators to successfully teach and work with disadvantaged students. The first part of the report summarizes a review of literature. Eleven studies are presented and referenced for further study. The second part of the…

This manual is designed to provide teachers with technically sound, easy-to-follow procedures for developing diagnostic tests to be used with their own students. The definition of diagnostic testing is broadened to include any tests systematically designed to provide information about skills that students have or have not mastered. A five-step…

In this report, the search is continued for exemplary elementary science programs. Included is a chapter explaining the excellence in elementary science concept which touches upon: (1) goals; (2) characteristics of an ideal curriculum; (3) resources and materials; (4) administrative leadership; (5) classroom environment; and (6) program…

This report describes the results of a field test of "Federalism", a program from "The U.S. Constitution", an instructional video program series for secondary school students developed by the Agency for Instructional Technology (AIT) in association with Project '87. The participants of the preview are teachers and students in…

The purpose of this project was to strengthen consumer and homemaking education programs in New Jersey by increasing the competence of home economics educators to meet the needs of school-age pregnant and parenting students through their programs. The objectives of the project were: (1) to field test a curriculum designed for school-age pregnant…

A project was conducted in Florida between October 1, 1984, and August 31, 1985, to develop and field test criterion-referenced tests in the occupational areas of gardening/groundskeeping and landscape operations. The test instruments were constructed around the performance standards developed by the Florida Department of Vocational Education.…