Describes a difficult sixth grade girl who spent her elementary school years fighting to feel happy. The article focuses on a teacher's efforts to raise the child's self-esteem by examining her home life then taking appropriate steps to encourage success (e.g., tutoring younger students). (SM)

Discusses the changing nature of our world, particularly in regard to the technical revolution. Considers the effects of the changing world on primary education. Maintains that young students in our changing world share basic curricular needs regardless of where they live. (BB)

Traces the three-year period (beginning in 1988) leading to the takeover of the Jersey City (New Jersey) public schools by the State Department of Education. Questions the wisdom of New Jersey's approach regarding failing school districts. The confrontation in New Jersey ended poorly for both the state and district. (SLD)

Three years after the passage of the Chicago Public Schools Reform Act, Stephen K. Hayt School in Chicago (Illinois) has shown some successes, but neighborhood politics have hampered progress as ethnic groups and others dispute issues. In addition, cuts in the citywide school budget left teachers scrambling for supplies. (JB)

Racial bias and inadequate financial supports place the children of the urban poor at risk. Implications of urban conditions for research, policy, and practice are discussed, with emphasis on delivery of social welfare services. (SLD)

Discussion of spatial skills focuses on a quasi-experimental field study that was designed to test the possibility that elementary and secondary school library users' success in stack searches could be related to a particular spatial skill, i.e., the ability to solve large-scale mental-rotation and perspective-taking problems. (13 references) (LRW)

This special journal issue presents a review of science education research in 1989. This summary of research is organized around 14 themes: achievement in science, affect, classroom interactions, cognitive processes, computers, curriculum, instruction, legislation and policy, misconceptions, scientific literacy, teachers, tests and assessments,…

After reviewing the literature comparing resource room and consultation models for serving children with low achievement, this paper addresses six best practices: peer tutoring, direct instruction in basic skills, precision teaching, cooperative learning, computer-aided instruction, and applied behavior analysis. Teacher attitudes and behaviors…

Presents insights gained from the operation of the With and for Parents program in the Harlem Park neighborhood of Baltimore (Maryland). The aim was to increase the influence of low-income minority parents over children's decisions to remain in school until graduation. Changing parent attitudes was the project's key. (SLD)

Discusses Vee mapping, a technique to assist students in categorizing the relationship between the conceptual and procedural aspects of science. Presents a study to investigate elementary education majors' (n=27) use of the Vee heuristic and concept mapping for the construction of knowledge; attitudes toward learning science in collaborative…

Provides an example of the integration of science and mathematics learning of one high school physics student in a constructivist classroom. Discusses the student's integration of mathematical and nonmathematical representations and of different mathematical representations in a nonuniform acceleration experiment. Describes a model for integrating…

Analyses expectations for U.S. public schools since the turn of the century. Considers families, ethnicity and race, poverty, child care, health, television, and employment. Describes experiences and problems of children and families; offers reasons why public education has problems; and discusses a current philosophy of attendance, access, and…

Reviews changes in the U.S. family by comparing its structure and function in 1960 and in 1990. Finds dramatic changes in women's roles and attitudes; new parenting approaches; and effects on children's social, physical, and emotional success. Argues that children and their care are being neglected. (JB)

This paper discusses how to determine whether a test was developed in a legally defensible manner, reviewing general issues, specific cases bearing on different types of test use, some evaluative dimensions, and evidence of test quality. Tests constructed and used according to existing standards will generally stand legal scrutiny. (SLD)

Because of the importance of standardized test scores in current definitions of educational achievement, pressure to raise test scores has affected their accuracy. Examines the causes of two major sources of test score pollution and their impact on education. Discusses the ethical status of documented test-preparation activities. (CJS)