A complex interactional model of classroom factors that contribute to the development of students' self-evaluations is presented. Factors described are: (1) task structure; (2) grouping practices; (3) feedback and evaluation procedures and information about ability; (4) motivational strategies; (5) locus of responsibility for learning; and (6) the…

The purpose of this guide is to provide a middle school literacy model, to describe practices and strategies of literacy education, and to assist school communities as they implement a balanced Turning Points literacy program that is responsive to the particular needs of middle school students. This guide includes: (1) the rationale for a Turning…

Research shows conclusively that principals and other school leaders are essential to school improvement, and that these individuals benefit from the intensive, contextualized support that a coach or mentor can provide. But how does a coach support a school leader in mastering the professional and emotional challenges of school leadership for a…

Teacher efficacy has been identified as a variable that can influence teacher effectiveness. The results of methods designed to change teacher efficacy, however, have been mixed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible impact on teacher efficacy of the FOCUS (1992) instructional method, which is designed to create an environment in…

The evaluation of instruction via distance learning at the high school and college level offers special challenges, particularly the evaluation of one-way video--two-way audio instructional programs. The role of the teacher is radically changed and teaching strategies and course design are particularly important in a distance leaning environment.…

No amount of wishing can eliminate the pervasiveness of social-class dynamics in the lives of teachers and students. Educators and students need clarity and insight regarding the presence, interplay, and power of social class in their encounters with one another. This paper addresses these social class dynamics within educational institutions,…

This volume consists of four issues. Issue 1 looks at some recent research on practice and is composed of these articles: "Reflection on Literacy," a summary of the World Conference on Literacy; "How Effective Is Adult Literacy Education?" that reports outcomes of Ontario Literacy Coalition studies; "UK Trends: Assessing…

This study provides some evidence of significant differences between the Redundancy and Bottom-to-Top Models in sequencing four-semester elementary and intermediate Spanish courses using the ACT Spanish Test Form 1 as the dependent variable. T-test results of independent samples (unequal variances model) were 0.056. Results also indicated that…

This final report describes activities and accomplishments of Project RIME (Reading Instructional Methods of Efficacy), a 3-year project to develop, field test, and disseminate a model of professional development for early elementary and special education teachers focusing on methods for teaching early reading and spelling to children at risk for…

The implementation of basic research on children's scientific thinking into science curricula continues to be a slow process. This chapter summarizes research on cognitive development that has helped to establish the goals for much of early science education and examines its implications. The chapter begins by describing scientific thinking and…

This paper presents a case study of distance education at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) in Toowoomba, Australia. Begun in 1977, distance education at USQ moved from the correspondence model to the multimedia model, to the telelearning model, and finally to the current flexible learning model characterized by on-line delivery via the…

This monograph discusses learning communities in the context of community colleges, presents the challenges and benefits of learning communities, provides examples, and outlines the steps for a community college to follow in initiating a learning community. In part 1, the authors discuss the educational context in which learning communities have…

The purpose of the VisionQuest project is to help current and future educators envision and achieve technology integration by providing access to electronic models of technology-using teachers. By helping teachers envision and achieve exemplary technology use, the project aims to promote widespread, fundamental changes in teaching and learning…

Addresses the power held by persons who construct curricula, teach, and do research from a frame of reference that includes definite purposes for and theories about science education. Suggests the purpose of science education as a discipline is to improve existing procedures and establish new and verified procedures for teaching science.…

Describes a lesson plan model for teaching adults to read. The four phases of the model (reading to the student, silent reading, oral reading by the student, skills work) are presented, their significance explained, and activities and references provided. An annotated bibliography follows the model. (CT)