Discusses what middle-grade students need, and what language arts can provide. Describes language arts activities that connect with real-world issues and audiences, with big ideas and big events, with home and family, and with students' interests and talents. (SR)

Discusses the effects of group size, staff-child ratios, and staff training and qualifications on the quality of child care. (BB)

Reviews two books: "The English Classroom in the Computer Age" (offering practical plans for integrating computers into writing courses), and "Evolving Perspectives on Computers and Composition Studies (which is more theoretical). Discusses technological literacy, political issues of access to technology, teacher training, and teaching practices.…

Discusses the nature of reflective practice and its importance in school leaders' preparation and professional development. Professional preparation that develops reflective practice helps resolve the theory-practice dichotomy and improve professional practice. Preparation programs must provide experiences that elicit critical application of…

Three widely accepted assumptions about literacy education are discussed: (1) literacy is a social practice; (2) there exists a plurality of literacies; and (3) literacy educators must address issues of power. Implications for defining second-language composition ideology, research, and pedagogy are examined. (54 references) (Author/MSE)

Presents an argument for reform in current environmental education (EE) practices within the context of the Canadian education systems. Describes Canadian contributions in the field of EE, contradictions between theory and practice that give rise to some current issues, and suggestions for future EE activities in Canada. (41 references) (MCO)

Discusses how environmental education (EE) can provide opportunities for development of higher order thinking skills such as learning critically and creatively, and learning to think in an integrated manner--in terms of identifying alternatives, using multiple sources, designing novel approaches, and identifying real and potential solutions.…

Examines the relevancy of North American planning education to practice in other countries. A survey of 201 accredited planning program graduates working overseas shows that these practitioners see themselves as successful and their education as pivotal to that success. However, efforts should be made to make planning education more…

Discusses the history of curriculum theory, reasons for the gap between theory and practice, and propositions for improving the relationship. Literature shows little progress in reducing the gap. Three movements may offer theorists and practitioners more curriculum control and reduce the gap: empowering teachers, professionalizing teaching, and…

Though the second wave of curriculum theorizing attempts to improve students' and teachers' lives, transform conventional curriculum development, and challenge neoconservative curricula, this paper argues that it has not affected K-12 education. The article discusses absence of reflective action in school-based settings within contemporary…

Six periods in the evolution of nursing are described: the early period (1860-1900); focus on practice, service, and specialization (1900-49); initiation of research (1950-59); research expansion and theory initiation (1960-79); the integration of practice, research, and theory (1980-89); and the near future (1990-2000). Nursing administration is…

The curriculum conference is a specific, practical strategy for deliberative curriculum problem solving at the district or national level. This article explains the deliberation method and its two important characteristics, argumentation and interaction. An analysis of all three decision-making processes in one such conference showed that…

Interviews and observations of student teachers revealed that they rarely used nonexamples to explain concepts, had little exposure to instructional materials using nonexamples, and relied primarily on familiar methods from their own student experience. More intense modeling and practice regimens are needed to ensure acquisition of unfamiliar…

This introductory article on curriculum-based measurement (CBM) identifies the purpose of CBM, notes differences between CBM and other curriculum-based assessment approaches, and traces the history and development of CBM. The research and development program on CBM at the University of Minnesota is highlighted. (DB)

This paper examines aspects of the traditional implementation of behavior analysis that are counterproductive to teacher use and identifies practices that promote greater teacher use, including entering the system and working with school personnel, developing classroomwide applications rather than single-student interventions, and sustaining…