Examines English teacher training in Central America where a high percentage of students are in private schools. The article highlights teacher training and practice, curriculum design and development, students and communities, and research directions and funding. (Five references) (CK)

Reviews evaluations of CAL (computer-assisted learning) in use at the University of Glasgow (Scotland). Topics include methods used; prior knowledge; learning motivation; attitude measures; confidence logs; knowledge quizzes; study habits; Hawthorne effects; formative, summative, illuminative, and integrative evaluation; quality assurance…

To promote recreational reading among high school students, a group of teachers created the Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award where students read and vote on their favorite 5 out of 12 nominated titles. Describes how media specialists promote the program and how educators integrate nominated books into classroom subject curricula.…

As this feisty teacher/professor conversation shows, there are no quick fixes for motivating students and maintaining classroom discipline. Teacher education programs should require a comprehensive, teacher-taught course in discipline that includes a full year of student and substitute teaching experience. Professional development schools, team…

Overviews the numbers and kinds of students taking college-level Japanese courses currently, their motivations and challenges, and some of the ways in which Japanese is different from the more commonly taught languages. Notes that for the first time in United States history the study of a language outside the Indo-European family, i.e., Japanese…

Argues that empowering parents is the first step toward improving females' achievement in science. Describes the Sisters in Science (SIS) program that aims to unite the role of parents with the other factors that promote female success in science. Discusses policy and practical implications that can be drawn from the work of the SIS program.…

Analyzes why so many adults are inactive by examining how children are introduced to physical activity, focusing on two behavioral principles that are germane to turning children on to physical activity (fun and self-worth), reviewing practices that violate these principles, and speculating about why the principles get violated. (SM)

The seven chapters of this theme issue on second-language instruction illustrate the pedagogical shift from measuring language achievement to emphasizing language proficiency. The issue explores empirical and theoretical investigations into second-language acquisition research in both affective and cognitive domains. (SLD)

Describes how high school biology teachers can use the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program protocols and data in their classrooms. Includes background information on plant phenology, an overview of GLOBE phenology protocols and materials, and implications for protocols with both deciduous trees and grasses…

Study 1 evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of online training with Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center's (NLETC's) Jail Management trainees. Results indicate that online training is as effective as and more efficient than classroom training. Study 2 examined learning, instructional time, motivation, and attitude advantages of…

Surveyed adult college students regarding their motivation for attending college and the relative importance of college choice criteria. Getting better jobs, gaining general knowledge, and enhancement of self-esteem were most frequently mentioned. Availability of desired programs, days/times of needed classes, locations of courses, cost, and…

A theoretical model was examined linking early adolescent interpersonal relatedness and self-definition, autonomous and controlled regulation, and negative and positive life events. Findings indicated that self-criticism predicted less positive events, whereas efficacy predicted more positive events. Effects were fully mediated by absence and…

Explains a case study in Retrospective Miscue Analysis (RMA), a process which enables readers to discuss the underlying logic of their miscues. Concludes that RMA is a powerful tool in crafting and guiding reading instruction. Notes that when the student subject was encouraged to use reading strategies that worked for him, he became empowered as a…

A national survey of 1,289 elementary teachers and focus groups examined effects of state testing programs on instructional practices and implications for gifted students' motivation. Results suggest that testing programs are likely to discourage effective classroom practices and instead lead to teachers engaging in one-size-fits-all practices.…

Describes the types of problems young children generated in problem-posing situations as they worked, on a one-to-one basis, with a student teacher. Indicates that problem-posing actions of students can be nurtured by teachers' actions. (Author/KHR)