Students are under pressure from teachers, parents, and college admissions counselors to maintain high grade point averages, score well on high-stakes tests, participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, and gain admission to top colleges. In fact, surveys have found that most students identify academic pressure as the main reason for…

This paper is an ethnography of a high school mathematics department that has been struggling with curriculum change since 1977. A literature review of curriculum reform revealed four elements of mathematics reform: (1) a focus on students' complex thinking; (2) a change in locus of authority in the classroom; (3) a change in student roles; and…

The concepts of imagery, mathemagenic behaviors, and generative imagery are reviewed; and the learner's use of visual imagery is discussed. Several studies have supported the idea that imagery is an active mental process that gives birth to learning. The concept of mathemagenic control or manipulation is of interest to the instructional designer.…

In attempting to understand the complexities involved in becoming a true leader and change agent, this paper differentiates between teachers inspiring action and teachers fostering passivity in a world moving toward a value system which upholds the ideals of a global consciousness. A major framework emerging in the 1990s is that of…

Specific mechanisms of classroom interactions by which teachers and students conjecture, criticize, explain, test, and refine ideas and procedures is what is referred to as "negotiation of meaning in the mathematics classroom." Elaboration of the form these mechanisms take in practice, and hence investigation of classroom constructions…

An examination of the role of the principle players in second language learning--teachers, students, and instructional material developers--offers insight into the field of language pedagogy during a period of rapid technological change. All are living in a technologically changing environment but are all affected in different ways. Materials…

Graduate assistants must often be the "Jack" or "Jill" of many trades. Graduate assistants at St. Louis University described a variety of boundaries they face in their multifaceted roles. Some of their major concerns were: (1) unreasonable workload; (2) isolation; (3) frenzied pace; (4) work not enjoyable; (5) difficult boss;…

A brief policy paper on multicultural education and a bulletin from the State Superintendent on its implementation in schools in Washington State are included in this report. The first paper lists 31 competencies that should be demonstrated by teachers who teach in multicultural settings. It also discusses the "change roles" that both…

On the premise that outreach and recruitment need to be seen as concomitants of quality education, the author suggests that both internal and external benefits can be derived from utilizing the natural constituencies of the institution--faculty, students, and alumni--before turning to private consulting agencies in business to recruit students.…

On the assumption that student learning is the principal outcome of higher education, the author presents a model of individual choice (as opposed to a methodological approach that assumes some exogeneously determined goal), which incorporates the student in his role as consumer and producer of knowledge and the complementary faculty role. (JT)

The possibility of an optional time span for grammar systematization in second language learning is discussed, together with related difficulties in self-paced instruction. (RM)

Takes the position that teacher qualities such as cognitive flexibility and creativity in option generation, and interpersonal perception and skills are significant to pupil growth and that ultimately this criterion should influence choices in and out of the classroom. (BR)

Unusual instances of the separation of young children from their teachers and the solutions devised to address the problem are described by a veteran nursery school teacher at the University of Chicago Laboratory School. The anecdotes are offered with the intention of helping children cope with change and helping teachers say good-bye more easily.…

A panel of university based consultants examined the admissions process of New York City Public High schools in order to make recommendations that would increase access to programs and schools for all populations without reducing school effectiveness. The six sections of the report include: (1) perceptions of the problems and rationales; (2) new…