The Science Academy of Austin, part of the Austin Independent School District (Texas), was given a 4-year National Science Foundation (NSF) grant beginning in 1990-91 to link public and private sectors to create a "thinking curriculum." This evaluation report covers the fourth, and last, year of the grant's implementation. The new…

This document covers approximately 500 publications developed by the University of Pittsburgh's Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC) from 1985 through 1991 and constitutes a record of LRDC's commitment to research that can strengthen educational practice. An abstract is provided for most entries. Each publication summarized addresses…

This document summarizes the curriculum at the University of Tulsa School for Gifted Children in Oklahoma. The curriculum is based on enaction theory which postulates that thinking is a matter of running a simulation in one's head and involves three steps: (1) creating a mental model; (2) manipulating that model; and (3) developing a strategy for…

This learning module, a continuation of the math I module, provides review and practice of the concepts explored in the earlier module at an intermediate level involving workplace problems. The following concepts are covered: instruction in performing basic computations, using general numerical concepts such as whole numbers, fractions, decimals,…

Forms of reasoning and problem solving required of students by innovative assessment projects in science are examined. The initial phase identified activities and school systems where new forms of science assessment were being piloted. The following are general dimensions of performance that were identified: (1) structured, integrated knowledge;…

The Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) examined the demands of the workplace and whether young people were capable of meeting those demands. Specifically, SCANS determined the level of skills required to enter employment. Fundamental changes in the nature of work were identified; these changes were found to hold…

These six conference papers from the Biennial Conference on Postsecondary Education for Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing focus on academic issues relating to individuals with deafness or hard of hearing. The first paper, "Exploring Assessment Alternatives for Deaf Students" (Karen Clack), discusses different methods of evaluating students…

The Ohio Consortium for Portfolio Development was established in 1988 as an interinstitutional research effort to integrate portfolio development into teacher education. A subphase focused on portfolio use by entry year teachers in a metropolitan school system. Personnel at Wright State University, Central State University, and the University of…

This individualized learning package on test item construction as a component of evaluation is designed for the undergraduate student in teacher education programs. The hierarchy of learning levels on which the package rests is that of B. Bloom's (1956) taxonomy of learning. The premises are that higher order learning is significant and desirable…

Monroe County Community College (MCCC), in Monroe, Michigan, developed a "Writing Across the Curriculum" program in response to perceived deficiencies in the writing and critical thinking skills of its students. Major features of the program include a Writing Center located in the Learning Assistance Laboratory and Writing Fellows…

This conference proceedings is the result of a week-long conference and course focusing on the use of literature programs in the development of literacy skills and the attainment of broader educational outcomes. The proceedings includes speeches by keynote speakers, session presentations, graduate student papers, and middle school student papers.…

Effective integration of technology as a learning/teaching tool requires present and future educators not only to be trained in computer use but also to have effective and practical models of computer integration. At Alverno College (Wisconsin) an introductory computer course was redesigned to emphasize technology as a teaching tool rather than…

To determine if differing ability levels will affect the acquisition of problem-solving skills and self-esteem as a result of participation in two approaches to teaching problem-solving skills, a study was conducted with sixth graders in a posttest-only control group experimental design. Subjects were 102 sixth graders randomly assigned to 5…

This book maintains that much of what children and adolescents are taught in school is of limited use to them in succeeding in life. It notes that although most school curricula focus on factual knowledge and cultural enrichment, they fall short in providing students with an education that focuses on individual abilities and inclinations,…

Findings from five main projects in the National Center on Effective Secondary Schools, which operated from December 1, 1985 to February 28, 1991, are presented. Projects investigated different aspects of engagement and achievement problems through literature reviews, analyses of existing data sets, and new studies of students and staff in 32…