Despite widespread recognition among policy makers, educational leaders, and the nation as a whole of the importance of science, engineering, and technology as drivers of the future of the country and society, the science achievement of America's students is mediocre at best, in comparison to that of international peers. On the 2012 PISA tests in…

Even though school administrators and their leadership practices are rarely explored within science education research, our recent efforts to understand organizational influences on achievement disparities induced an elevated regard for elementary school principals. In this paper, we report on policy buffering by principals at schools whose…

Previous research has linked inquiry-based science instruction (i.e., science instruction that engages students in doing science rather than just learning about science) with greater gains in student learning than text-book based methods (Vanosdall, Klentschy, Hedges & Weisbaum, 2007; Banilower, 2007; Ferguson 2009; Bredderman, 1983;…

This dissertation addresses the question of how structured out-of-school-time settings, such as afterschool programs and summer camps, are positioned to support children's engagement and learning in science. This study addresses a gap in the research literature that does not fully specify the nature of the out-of-school-time (OST) setting and that…

Two leading science educators provide a comprehensive, state-of-the-field analysis of current trends in the research, policy, and practice of science education. This book offers valuable insights into why gaps in science achievement among racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic groups persist, and points toward practical means of…

A questionnaire was developed by the authors in order to determine some of the practices currently being used by schools in selecting a new science program. (Author/RK)

Besides evaluating the Science-A Process Approach (SAPA) program, this study was undertaken to permit some assessment of generally accepted notions of curriculum change. It was proposed that students pursuing the SAPA program, when compared with those in a traditional program, would show a better understanding of science processes, have an…

Three domains of problems are the subject of this report: problems related to the nature of the Inquiry Role Approach (IRA) project implementation in field test classrooms, problems related to student performance associated with different kinds of extent of project implementation, and problems related to project student performance within the…

This article describes the outgrowth of a recently held invitational conference, supported by the National Science Foundation, to define, describe, and examine existing models for the use of elementary science specialists. The authors explore the educational, policy, and financial issues that affect the use of science specialists as well as offer…

The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of an exemplary science program in grades six, seven, and eight in developing (1) pupil understanding of basic facts, concepts, and principles of science and (2) pupil understanding about scientists, the scientific enterprise, the methods and aims of science as compared to the traditional…

Reports the results of a study designed to determine if the values and practices of science teachers and science graduates studying for a diploma in education are congruent with the values upon which the Australian Science Education Project (ASEP) materials are based. (JR)

Longitudinal data on a national sample of undergraduates, along with institutional data, were used in a study of the College Science Improvement Program of the National Science Foundation. Among the findings: students in schools that had received COSIP grants were more likely to aspire toward the Ph.D. and to plan on doing research and were less…

Reports the results of a study designed to determine the attitudes of Northern Ireland students toward the Schools Council Integrated Science Project (SCISP). (JR)

Reports some of the more significant generalized findings that have emerged from an evaluation of the Nuffield O-Level biology course materials and their use in secondary schools. (JR)

Reports on a nationwide survey using the Delphi technique. Data were obtained relating to upper level undergraduate chemistry programs. Data indicated interdisciplinary electives are valuable additions to chemistry programs and student concerns should be included in curriculum planning. (SL)