Prompting students to generate constructed responses as they read provides a window into the processes and strategies that they use to make sense of complex text. In this study, Markov models examined the extent to which: (1) patterns of strategies; and (2) strategy combinations could be used to inform computational models of students' text…

Learning from expository science texts is challenging. These studies explore whether difficulties can be attributed to poor memory or poor reasoning. To eliminate the need for memory during testing, some students took the tests with the texts available. To test for the effects of reasoning on performance, some students were prompted to engage in…

Reading to learn is a quintessentially self-regulated activity. In order to provide effective support for this activity it is necessary for us to understand how students adapt their self-regulation behaviors within disciplinary reading environments. In this paper, we utilize student response data from a digital literacy platform to examine the…

Instructional materials are an important resource in US classrooms. They represent the intersection of standards, subject matter knowledge and practice, and pedagogy. In light of the Framework for K-12 Science Education (National Research Council, 2012) and the subsequently released Next Generation Science Standards (Next Generation Science…

A survey of the literature on science and reading research supports the identification of six potential foci and numerous interactions for future research related to science and reading. These six areas are: (1) nature of science and science education; (2) nature of the reading process (outlining Holliday's 10 rules for designing effective science…

This report is designed as a guide for the production of science books for primary children. Section I contains presentations on the topic of how to produce primary science books, including: an essay on the development of physics theories, the roles of science books, editing science textbooks for primary schools, editing photographic science books…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the use of videodisc technology in a school system. The videodisc "Understanding Chemistry and Energy" (Systems Impact, 1987) having 20 lessons was used in Physical Science classes (grade 9) and Biology classes (grades 10 and 11) in an experimental school. It was designed to be used with a variety of…

A comprehensive review of science education research revealed the lack of studies related to the act of reading. Reasons for the apparent lack of research attention to the reading area include: (1) reading is not needed in science teaching; (2) reading is needed but it is not frequently used; and (3) reading is needed and used but not identified…

Science kit is a tool used to teach science in several schools. Science kit inservices are intended to provide teachers with the skills needed for using science kits. The evaluation of science kit/inservice workshops to assess their effectiveness to enhance teachers' science knowledge, positive attitude toward science, and science teaching is an…

The American public continues to be perplexed by the substandard reading, math, and science skills of students. Science information alone is growing at a rate that will make it very difficult for many, especially students with feeble science knowledge and skills, to become scientifically literate. This research describes the development,…

An approach which is designed to help students better understand the utility of models in understanding and doing physics, specifically in a course in light and color, is described in this paper. Explanations are given and illustrations are provided of an analogue model of waves which assist in the creation of an abstract model to deduce Snell's…

The "Web of Life," adapted from the green version of the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS), has gained a virtual monopoly in Australian upper secondary school biology classrooms since its introduction in 1967. A recent increase in the diversity of student interests, academic abilities, attitudes, and vocational aspirations has…

Presented is a description of a program developed to provide better dissemination of curricula, particularly for elementary school teachers and principals. The strategy described, Tactics for Applying Programs in Education (TAPE), an NSF-funded project, involved extensive use of mass media channels for creating awareness of science curricula…

In an attempt to determine the level of questioning according to Bloom's taxonomy, generated by test items that accompany selected fifth-grade science textbooks, an analysis of the tests provided by three of the most commonly used elementary science textbooks was completed. Additionally this analysis examined the extent to which each series…

The characteristics and components of scientific literacy are reviewed and analyzed in this report. Perspectives are given on textbook use, content, emphases and applications of the dimensions of scientific literacy. The distinctive features of the curriculum reform projects of the l960's and l970's are also discussed and their impacts are…