Responses of 109 students who failed reliability or validity checks on a school climate and violence questionnaire were compared with those of a randomly matched group who answered consistently and accurately. Results indicated significant differences in terms of school violence victimization and perceived danger at school. (SLD)

The historical roots of current educational assessment practices are traced, exploring assessment in the generic sense rather than as educational measurement. Our culture of assessment developed long ago, predating the history of educational measurement. Current inefficiencies in education and faults in school life may have grown with this…

Discusses the need to improve relationships among schools, families, and communities. Notes today's school counselors play a major role in attempts to improve family involvement in the education of children. This article is designed to give counselors direction for involving parents in the process by developing partnerships between schools and…

Argues that, since the presence of invitational practices in the physical arena can be measured, such strategies should be introduced into middle school athletics. Examines coaches' potential to extend inviting concepts to student participants, the legacy of traditional athletics, and the agents of influence in middle school athletics. (RJM)

Discusses the need for instructional designers, trainers, and educators to have cultural sensitivity, or a cross-cultural perspective/awareness. Considers learning environment, classroom rituals, intelligence assessment instruments, cultural background, teacher-student relationship, nonverbal behavior, discipline, locus of control, rewards, and…

Compares and contrasts overt and subtle forms of prejudice in the classroom. Maintains that subtle prejudice is still pervasive and discusses this phenomenon in terms of aversive racism theory, attributional ambiguity, and stereotype threat. Describes the intervention programs, jigsaw classroom and wise schooling. (MJP)

Social problem solving, effectance motivation, and information processing were studied with 38 Finnish eight-year olds using the LOGO computer programming language learned through discovery learning. Results suggest that LOGO promotes the development of problem-solving skills if each student receives sufficient support from the teacher. (SLD)

Describes a wildlife garden developed on school grounds which converted a large, derelict quadrangle into an outdoor classroom used by staff across the curriculum. The area was divided into various habitats including ponds, mini-woodlands, herb garden, hedgerows, wildflower meadow, and bird borders. Preparatory work and projects generated are…

A follow-up study involving 140 special education graduates found vocational education, work-study participation, attending a rural school, and having a learning disability were the best predictors of full-time employment after graduation. Participation in regular academics and attending a suburban school were the best predictors of postsecondary…

A 6-year-old Australian Aboriginal student has trouble understanding the dominant cultural mores concerning sharing food or its use as a reward in school. Literacy not only entails how to read and write identifiable genres of texts, but also requires strategic knowledge of how to read social situations and institutional rule systems. (Contains 35…

Advances a conceptual model for viewing the influence of the administrative behaviors of chairpersons of academic departments, positing four propositions that depict the influence of administrative behaviors on college student learning: student evaluations of teaching, student advisement, cooperative instructional activities, and faculty…

A study examining causes of work avoidance interviewed 20 work-avoidant students in grades 6 and 7 from 3 schools in Newfoundland (Canada). Students withdrew effort because they were bored, as an expression of hostility toward the teacher, or because of feelings of helplessness. Implications for teacher practice and school policies are discussed.…

Examines the early childhood and primary learning environments and developmentally appropriate practices in light of the findings of brain research in the mid to late 1990s. Focuses on how the brain works, creating the optimal learning environment, developing classroom learning centers, and presenting meaningful learning experiences. Identifies…

A survey examined environmental and social factors influencing student motivation among 206 American Indian college students. Students preferred teacher-structured environments involving feedback, active roles, and media use. Students felt they must compete for rewards, which contradicts cultural behaviors. Motivational factors specific to…

Discusses strategies used by two teachers for teaching geography to at-risk students to connect the subject matter to the student's lives. Includes techniques such as integrating music, art, language, employing simulations when teaching, using current events to improve students' reading skills, and utilizing computer technology. (CMK)