Distinguishes weak forms of critical thinking (restricted to logical thinking) from strong forms of critical pedagogy (incorporating a moral component into critical thinking). Sees evidence of weak forms in the 1987 California History-Social Science Framework. Contends that social studies must be interdisciplinary, global in perspective,…

An empirical test of a method of teacher evaluation by predicting student performance and comparing it with actual outcomes is described. Results from 6,249 urban fifth graders in 103 schools suggest that teachers can be evaluated in this way and that the best and worst teachers can be identified. (SLD)

A unit designed to cover the topic of genetic engineering and its ethical considerations is presented. Students are expected to learn the material while using a debate format. A list of objectives for the unit, the debate format, and the results from an opinion questionnaire are described. (KR)

Considers the gap between theory and practice in social studies education. Postulates this gap results from teachers utilizing critical thinking as a classroom strategy rather than committing to it as an ethic. Examines seven principles to illustrate critical thinking as a teaching ethic. Urges professors to embody this ethic in their teaching to…

Discusses an investigation of how British secondary school geography teachers' attitudes and values influence their choices of objectives, content, and teaching methods. Focuses on approaches to development issues. Uses cluster analysis to summarize results. Notes the constraining influence of having to prepare students for public examinations.…

Tested a structural model of mathematics achievement and attitude with a probability sample of 3,116 adolescents from the Longitudinal Study of American Youth. Concluded that prior achievement and home environment influenced subsequent achievement most powerfully and that previous attitude had the most powerful influence on subsequent attitude.…

A study of predominantly white teachers participating in a multicultural education staff development program illustrated how social class and gender experiences informed their understanding of the social order they used to understand race. Following the staff development, few teachers substantially restructured their perspectives about racial…

A whole-class model providing for student diversity through remediation and enrichment in small groups was compared with a two-group model accommodating diversity through fixed within-class ability groups. Higher mathematics achievement was found for the whole-class model in a study of 1,736 fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. (SLD)

Reports a sample of Houston's middle school science teachers (n=227) perceived level of need for and acceptance of (1) science-technology-society (STS) goal levels; (2) STS curricular materials, (3) inservice related to STS instructional methods; and (4) inservice focused on STS-related content. (23 references) (MDH)

Explains how a computer uses its vision to determine the area, edge length, width, height, and center of mass in two dimensions from photos of backlit sea shells. Includes HyperCard codes used to instruct the computer to make the calculations. (MDH)

Describes the switch taking place in many schools, especially middle schools, from grouping students by ability (tracking) to mixed-ability classrooms (untracking). Discusses components of untracking, student and teacher responses, and tracking as a public policy issue. (SLD)

Surveys students majoring in education in the United States and Sri Lanka to explore reminiscences of memorable teachers. Categorizes memories according to teachers' personal and professional characteristics, methods, classroom environments, extra efforts, and influences. Includes students' statements and appends the study's questionnaire. Notes…

Introduces ways to assess students' reading ability and improve reading of social studies textbooks. Combines reading scores from Iowa Tests of Basic Skills and individual sessions to understand students' reading ability levels. Uses cooperative reading groups, reading labs, and whole-class oral reading to improve skills. Suggests pre- and…

Administered questionnaires to 1,459 secondary social studies students in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands to examine age, gender, and country differences in adolescents' perceptions of classroom climate. Studied relationships between political attitudes and perceived classroom climate and between the use of…

This study examined 23 classroom teachers' perceptions of collaborative training meetings they engaged in with remedial reading or resource room teachers. Teachers engaged in "pull-in" teaching (in which specialists taught in general classrooms) reported more frequent collaborative meetings and greater learning of specific techniques…