Describes a model for exploring the multidimensional relationship between staff development and improvements in student learning. The model is based on the premise that the quality of staff development is influenced by many factors, including content characteristics, process variables, and context characteristics. (SM)

Argues that unique behavioral styles can be identified among African-American populations and that behavioral style may help explain differences in test performance for white and African-American students. Implications for all students of providing stylistic diversity in the schools and student ability to use multiple learning styles are…

Effects of gender and disagreements on learning during sociocognitive interaction were investigated with 33 pairs of children between 5 and 7 years old (34 males and 32 females) using spatial perspective-taking tasks. Disagreements during social interaction can facilitate or inhibit learning. Effects of gender pairing are discussed. (SLD)

Explores the term "story" as it defines method and object of inquiry in teaching and learning, and explores story as a mode of knowing. Considers the political context of the story and issues of gender, power, ownership, and voice and the contributions of stories to case studies. (SLD)

Reported is a summary and review of over 300 research papers published in 1988. The review is organized into 10 sections: (1) "Professional Concerns"; (2) "Teacher Education"; (3) "Programs"; (4) "Curriculum"; (5) "Instruction"; (6) "Conceptual Development"; (7) "Problem…

An epistemological questionnaire assessing student beliefs about simple knowledge, certain knowledge, quick learning, and fixed ability to learn was administered to more than 1,000 high school students. Results demonstrate some epistemological development during high school and suggest that epistemological beliefs predict grade point average. (SLD)

Explores the role of institutionalized violence in one young lesbian's decision to drop out of high school. Casting this young woman as a school failure masks the school's unwillingness to interrupt everyday practices (errors of alienation, omission, and repression) that diminished her sense of self and learning capacity. (29 references) (MLH)

Identifying effective interventions to help children with autism reach their potential has been a source of disagreement among professionals and parents for decades. The complexities of the challenges that face children with autism, and uncertainty about best practices, have delayed progress. This article identifies seven critical program…

Excellent teachers base their actions in the classroon on a system of beliefs that help them to choose logically between various posible actions. Beliefs are formed from personal experiences, education, and values. They are a major determinant of behavior as teachers respond to questions and make classroom decisions. Teachers' beliefs are often…

The new "Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools" identifies complex instructional activities and student performance, and requires new assessment methods to reveal that performance. One of the goals of the California Assessment Collaborative (CAC) is to study the effects of local assessment development and implementation…

Some researchers have argued that out-of-school curricula, implicit patterns of learning in such realms as families, homes, peer groups, mass media, and nonschool organizations, are instrumental in forging the outlooks of individuals. This paper presents a way in which educators can learn about the out-of-school curricula of their students. The…

This list of publications contains approximately 230 items published by the National Research Center on Student Learning (NRCSL) over the last seven years and reflects the range of theoretical and applied work that is undertaken in the NRCSL research program. The publications listed in this volume report on NRCSL research, collaborations, and…

The study described in this paper is built on previous research, and applies, tests, and develops an analytic framework to examine teachers' thinking about teaching and learning across subject areas--specifically, contrasts between approaches to mathematics and environmental studies or science. The Teachers' Thinking about Teaching and Learning…

The state plan for educational technology in Ohio has been developed to facilitate a basic understanding of the broad scope of technology and how it can affect learning positively. It is also intended to provide a framework for policy and resource allocation decision making. Massive systemic changes in curriculum, professional development, and…

Changes in digital technology offer significant opportunities to advance the quality of education for students and faculty. Technology can serve as a vehicle to expand the educational reach. Perspectives on changing higher education to fulfill the promise of educational technology are offered in the following papers: (1) "Introduction:…