A social-context longitudinal model of the early schooling process was tested using three first-grade outcomes for 1,470 Black and 69 Hispanic children (1,359 remained in the school system at the end of grade 1). Many variables influence the early schooling process, including cognitive readiness at kindergarten entry. (SLD)

Two experiments assessed the effects of activation of prior knowledge through small-group discussion. College students (n=39) and Dutch secondary school students (n=88) were asked to elaborate on possible explanations of a natural phenomenon. Data suggested that such activation of prior knowledge can be a successful instructional strategy. (SLD)

Describes events leading to the establishment of four urban professional development schools (PDS) by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Public Schools. School sites, university/school district interaction, preservice student activities, and schoolwide change projects are described. Results of a survey of site teachers on PDS…

Reviews some of the author's own mistakes and successes to help guide other writers and teachers interested in projects in which they collaborate with a visual artist to improve students' writing skills and visual art ability. (MG)

Describes the Iowa State University School Improvement Model approach to staff development, which uses the Computer Assisted Teacher Evaluation/Supervision (CATE/S) database program to help staff developers address critical issues. CATE/S can maintain performance evaluation data, suggest improvement strategies for teachers, and document staff…

A model of personal and environmental influences on students' valuing of two deep-processing strategies for studying expository texts is described. Questionnaire data from 281 high school science students indicated that students' task orientation and perceptions about teacher expectations were central to students' attitudes. (TJH)

Explores the conceptual basis of teaching in China through the metaphor of teacher as virtuoso performer, with teaching considered an art. Field research results on teacher preparation and elementary and secondary teaching practice are shared. Shortcomings of this teaching model and implications for educational reform are considered. (IAH)

Presents an integrative path model that details relationships among several demographic variables, life stress, depression, hopelessness, social support, and suicidal ideation of 737 college students. Found negative life stress to be a significant predictor of both depression and hopelessness. Depression proved to be a better predictor of suicidal…

Discusses the role of management games in management education. Topics discussed include role playing; computer simulation; computer games; elements of management game effectiveness; Bloom's taxonomy of learning objectives; models of the learning process; group interaction; experiential learning; and research studies on the effectiveness of…

Describes a study to determine if a school district implementing an unfamiliar curricular change completed the same tasks as those using a model developed by Bishop. Reports that the district was more task oriented when confronted with an unfamiliar curricular change than previously reported. (MVL)

Discusses school power structures. Cites the following examples of "bottom-up" authority: (1) vouchers; (2) magnet schools; and (3) open enrollment. Suggests a new model in which the larger school districts function as "holding companies" and individual schools function as "subsidiaries" of the parent company. (FMW)

Analyzed counseling sessions conducted by counselors (N=8) treating undergraduate and graduate student clients (N=18) to determine whether distinctive patterns of actions and acts might provide a basis for a social science of counseling psychology. Found patterns of action-act sequences that warrant further investigation. (Author/CM)

A two-day roundtable on preparing the next generation of academic leadership convened by the Association of American Colleges is summarized. Issues relating to academic leadership and what might be done to enlarge the pool of potential leaders are discussed. (MLW)

This article discusses theory and practice issues relating to learning disabilities. A chronology of theoretical models in the field, including medical, psychological process, behavioral, and cognitive/strategy models, is offered. Seven steps useful in implementing learning strategies are described. (Author/PB)

The Technological Innovations in Medical Education (TIME) model, designed to be controlled by a professor in the classroom, incorporates voice recognition technology and video dramatization to create a believable patient encounter. A field test finding was that the students became committed to the care and management of the simulated patient.…