The purpose for which a test is needed is the most important criterion for deciding which type of student assessment tool should be used. Standardized tests were developed as sorting instruments based upon certain views of knowledge and learning. Educators, according to their own values, must either bring standardized tests more into line with…

Performance on assessment items using pictures to describe or state the problem situation was found to be less than performance on items testing similar content without pictures. These problems are analyzed; possible explanations and a review the related research literature are included. (SD)

Following a description of the development of "elite" institutions of higher education and the more public secondary schools, the author identifies the character of knowledge transmitted by both and the types of social differentiation appearing in connection with various types of knowledge. (Author/AV)

The author examines current opinions that schools inhibit progress and that education is conservative, consolidates inequality among people, and passes on outdated information. Freedom of choice in the direction of education is supported, but a need is seen for a structured system of teaching how to learn. (AV)

"Childhood and youth are sacred times when innate curiosity is intense and health and zest tend to be strong. Those years are too important to be frittered away memorizing irrelevant trivia." A shorter school year is advocated and alternative means of learning are seen as plentiful. (Author/MLW)

There has been a shift of emphasis in research on the teaching of writing. The focus changed from the products of writing to writing processes. This has strong implications for instruction. Writing curriculum should be based on the organization of the cognitive processes involved in writing skills. (Author/VM)

Most Americans oppose establishing a set of universally required texts--not because creating a core curriculum is inherently undemocratic, but because it's an un-American idea. The Chall curve shows graphically what is at stake in teaching literate culture to everyone. (MLW)

The evolution and current status of the concept of student-engaged time as a measure of learning in physical education is traced. The possible use of academic learning time (ALT) as a variable in physical education research is discussed. (JL)

Examines major issues and problems for research on television and its effects on children through a critical discussion of Cullingford's book, "Children and Television," which focuses on ways in which children learn and what they learn from television. (MBR)

This theoretical analysis articulates verbal rule properties and use implications, describes an empirical study examining characteristics of problem solving performance when verbal rules are instructed as a problem solving method, and discusses role of verbal rules in problem solving and implications for learning procedural skills. (MBR)

Presents mathematics education research referenced alphabetically by author within three categories (research summaries, articles, and dissertations). Grade or age is indicated for each reference, and an index is included. Index topics include achievement, algebra, arithmetic operations, attitudes/anxiety, calculators/computers, cognitive style,…

If science can be taught in a way that makes it accessible to the nonmajor, student fear of science would decrease. The topic of memory allows for an interdisciplinary analysis because films can be selected to complement the science. A course at Brooklyn College is described. (MLW)

This article views learning and attitude formation within the context of joint production. Tables show summary statistics and estimated marginal products and rates for each output. These estimates reveal trade-offs within the learning process that differ for men and women. (PB)

Eighty-two children (aged 4 through 6) were administered a Backward Digit Span test to measure M-space (mental capacity) and four conservation tasks: number, substance, continuous quantity and weight. (MS)

In this study, findings consistently support the hypothesis that cognitive style has the most impact during initial learning. (MM)