Describes an Australian teacher education program in educational psychology that promoted preservice teachers' intellectual functioning in terms of developing critical and reflective judgment; tolerance of doubt, ambiguity, and complexity; and awareness of self-agency. Data from questionnaires, interviews, and measures of intellectual development…

A survey of 216 special education administrators and school psychologists found that them to be generally supportive of the use of functional behavioral assessment for a range of problem behaviors. However, they were uncertain of whether such assessment would be acceptable for unique low-frequency problem behaviors that lead to suspension and…

Evaluated whether participation in HIPPY (Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters) has a positive impact on young children's performance in school. Assessed 182 children at baseline, the program's end, and one year later. Interpreted findings as mixed support for the effectiveness of the HIPPY program. (JS)

Describes a parent training program at an adoption agency that places children transracially; an instrument designed to measure parents' perception of the importance of racial awareness; and use of this instrument to evaluate effectiveness of an agency-based training session. Notes findings that training can have a positive effect on transracial…

Describes a study in an urban English district that investigated the impact of a series of three linked INSET programs to help mainstream secondary teachers meet the needs of developing bilingual students through whole-class teaching methods and school policies. Interviews with key participants indicated that the programs were reasonably…

The 1990's have seen a nationwide development of initiatives designed to provide school-linked comprehensive services to children and families. The level of collaboration among schools and community-based agencies required by such initiatives is unprecedented and offers an opportunity for systemic changes in the way professionals, families, and…

Many members of the mathematics and science education community believe that the integration of mathematics and science enhances students' understanding of both subjects. Despite this belief, attempts to integrate these subjects have frequently been unsuccessful. This study examines the development and implementation of a team-taught integrated…

Nationwide, there is a growing understanding of the connection between quality early childhood education and future academic success. In almost every article, study and report, the following words are found somewhere in the text: children who attend high-quality preschool are more successful in kindergarten and beyond--both academically and…

In this chapter, the authors review three distinct theoretical discourses--educational measurement, hermeneutics, and sociocultural studies--to support the development of validity theory for the routine use of assessment by professionals working in complex, dynamic, and always partially unique educational environments. They review validity…

The growing interest in assessing the quality of education outcomes can be seen in the ever-increasing frequency of use of international and national surveys (e.g., Program for International Student Assessment [PISA], the Progress in Reading and Literacy Study [PIRLS], or the Third International Mathematics and Science Study [TIMSS]). These…

In traditional psychoanalysis, patients recline on a couch in a way that prevents patients and analysts from seeing each other's faces. This has been argued to have significant effects, both positive and negative, on patients' treatment. The use of the couch creates an unusual communicative situation in which both parties are physically but not…

Consolidations come in all shapes and sizes, including mergers, annexations and dissolutions. They do not all take place under state mandate, however. A handful of districts consolidate every year in some states like Illinois that have large numbers of small districts, many of them dual districts that serve K-8 or 9-12 in the same geographic area.…

The current study examined special education teachers' ratings of the usefulness of strategy microanalytic assessment (SMA) (i.e., self-regulation, strategy use) and standardized norm-referenced assessment information (SNRA) (i.e., cognitive and academic skills). Ninety-six participants separately rated the frequency with which SMA and SNRA are…

This study presents the results of qualitative interviews of teachers who completed the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification process. Teachers (N=25) were asked a series of questions about how the NBPTS process impacted their teaching. The findings revealed that the themes of reflection, assessment, and…

This article considers the relative impacts of student accountability policies and extended learning programs on the achievement gains of elementary and middle grade students. It shares qualitative and quantitative analyses of an extended learning time initiative implemented in conjunction with a high-stakes testing and retention policy. The…