Asserts that the Head Start years are critical for establishing a foundation for later school and life success. Maintains that learning to use computers does not need to occur at this time. Advocates activities that: are hands-on; are enjoyable and fun for young children but increase in difficulty for older children; create important memories; and…

Discusses three purposes of tests and assessments in educational performance evaluation: providing information for the purpose of accounting to people outside of schools; providing information to teachers to help them improve instruction; and helping students learn. Also addressed are problems of test bias and the need to coordinate testing with…

Examines the implementation of educational assessment policy in the United States, England, and Wales from the perspectives of power, what educators need to learn, and legitimacy. Findings suggest that assessment policy is useful for promoting easily observable changes, but not for deep modifications of teaching practice. (SLD)

Modifies and validates a new form of the College and University Classroom Environment Inventory (CUCEI) and uses it to compare students' actual and preferred perceptions of their classroom environments at the senior secondary and tertiary education levels. Examines differences in perceptions according to student gender. (Contains 50 references.)…

Provides analyses of how school design solutions can have an impact on enhancing student learning and lessening school crime. Design issues cover site planning and building layout considerations and solutions, along with available communications and security technologies. (GR)

Examines the differences between German and Vietnamese students in both learning-relevant features and the relation between learning strategies and motivational features. Reveals both communalities (similar patterns of determinants of depth-oriented learning strategies) and differences (longer duration of studies and higher reliance on repetition)…

A study of 364 fifth graders investigated distractibility of animated graphics in a computer-based tutorial about Newton's Laws of Motion. Found no difference in post-test performance for those with high, medium, or no distraction graphics. Students in the two distraction conditions took less time to process instructional frames than students in…

Discusses connections between technology and thinking skills. Argues that technology is unsurpassed in identifying, collecting, and organizing information, but that technology and information are of scant value without a thinking framework to reveal their interconnectedness. Describes the benefits and limitations of technology within a context…

Highlights recommendations of seven task groups of Maryland's Visionary Panel for Better Schools to align state and local educational systems to support teachers and students. The task groups covered accountability, achievement, assessment, leadership, learning, public support, and teacher quality. (PKP)

Critiques the model of information literacy as a central purpose of librarianship. Reviews the appropriateness of the "learning methodology" of the information literacy model. Outlines the challenge of relating information literacy to workplace competencies. Proposes that information literacy be refocused away from information toward learning, and…

Describes three actions necessary to improve teacher quality: Improve teacher preparation by deepening teachers' content knowledge and strengthening candidates' experiences in schools, hire qualified teachers, and support teacher learning. (PKP)

Argues that global challenge created by the pressure for change requires educators to understand the balance between continuity and constant change dependence and independence, individualism and community, homogeneity and heterogeneity. To achieve balanced learning and development, education should place greater emphasis on continuity,…

Provides insights into the changing role of instructional leadership based on the Annenberg Institute for School Reform's work with principals and superintendents. Such leadership changes include lead learning, a focus on teaching and learning, developing leadership capacity, creating conditions for professional learning, using data to inform…

Describes the six basic elements of personalized instruction: The dual teacher role (coach and advisor), diagnosing student learning characteristics, a culture of collegiality, interactive learning environments, flexible scheduling and pacing, and authentic assessment. (Contains 23 references.) (PKP)

Identifies and discusses several reasons why the proliferation of standards for early childhood education is harmful to children and teachers: Pressure on children and teachers, narrowing of experience, accountability as punishment, teacher deprofessionalization, performance over learning, individual devaluation, corporate mentality. (Contains 34…