Taiwanese and American classrooms (grades 3-6) were examined, using a multimethod, multisource inventory. Multivariate procedures analyzed differences within Taiwanese culture, and between Taiwanese and American cultures, by sex, grade level, socioeconomic status, and achievement. The effects of achievement and intelligence were also studied in…

Two myths concerning the value of preservice field-based experience are explored: (1) Practical school experience contributes to the development of better teachers; and (2) Teacher education's institutional structures are totally coercive and students passively conform to school bureaucracies' conservative norms. (JN)

A study of fifth-grade students showed high achieving students spent less time interacting with teachers, so their instructional cost was lower. Lower achieving students demanded more teacher and aide time, resulting in higher instructional cost. A measure of instructional cost based on productive use of time is proposed. (JAC)

Mathematics lessons in 15 primary 5 classrooms were tape-recorded and coded to describe how teachers structure lessons and communicate with students. Few differences were found between experienced and probationary teachers. (f=fiche numbers). (CP)

Fears common to the classroom setting are discussed, including school phobia, social withdrawal, and test anxiety. Incidence data, theoretical explanations, and treatment research are reviewed, and directions for future research are suggested. (Author/MH)

Provides specific guidance to teachers planning activity areas and storage spaces to create an environment that supports children and how they learn. Areas of consideration include order, independence, comfort, materials, and boundaries. Hints for discovering unused space, including small and large storage projects, are provided. (SD)

Reports on how one teacher created a classroom environment in which the "Standards for the English Language Arts" were put into action through modeling and offering particular kinds of written language activities and other strategies that created opportunities for students to use written language for many purposes. (SR)

Uses oral-language skills assessment to illustrate sound classroom assessment practices, stressing interrelationships among teaching, learning, and assessment and viewing assessment as a continual, ongoing reference in a dynamic process, not an end in itself. Describes supportive classroom environments, explains oral language profiles, and…

Describes, interprets, and evaluates one secondary social-studies teacher's efforts to engage students in learning about self, others, and the world. Identifies several schooling regularities (classroom environment, student expectations, teaching load, and professional isolation) complicating teachers' efforts. Illustrates how innovative…

Presents data drawn from an ethnographic study of a kindergarten journal-writing activity. Discourse analysis of moment-to-moment talk and interaction reveals that activity participants assume a variety of roles available in the participation framework. The role of the participation framework is emphasized as a key factor in the distribution of…

National survey data indicate that 91% of metropolitan high school seniors and 78% of nonmetropolitan seniors had computers available in math classes. Computer availability was lowest in nonadjacent rural counties and in the South. Nevertheless, metro and nonmetro students reported similar frequency of computer use; 71% and 69%, respectively,…

Examined the collaborative literacy learning that occurred in a literacy-enriched sociodramatic play center. Literacy behaviors were coded from transcripts of 15 hours of free play. Found substantial cross-age literacy-based collaboration, with almost half the interactions involving older children helping younger children. This collaboration was…

Research that examines the effect of inclusive education on students without disabilities shows improvements in their ability to make friends with disabled students, social skills, self-esteem, personal principles, patience, and comfort level with people who are different. Techniques for creating caring inclusive classroom environments are…

The gender gap in math Scholastic Aptitude Test scores, attributable to course avoidance, lack of confidence, and unbalanced classroom instruction, can have serious consequences for young women, such as limited university selection, limited career choices, and lower lifetime salaries. Solutions include hiring math specialists, establishing role…

Discusses a study revealing that experienced language teachers of English as a Second Language perceive that it is important to develop and maintain a positive whole-group feeling among their students. Identifies relevant areas in the field of social psychology and discusses eight facets of the group development process in language classes. (Six…