Paper examines how one teacher conceived of classroom authority during three phases of his educational experience (student teaching, graduate school, and university teaching), suggesting that teacher educators must incorporate serious discussions about the nature of authority in the same way that K-12 teachers ought to question how they enact…

Argues for a sociological analysis of effective schools as opposed to the positivist paradigm. Maintains that the practice of schooling cannot be separated from the broader social, cultural, and political aspects of the local community. Profiles four high schools and their educational philosophies. (MJP)

Describes a culturally relevant Spanish program in a high school that helped native speakers avoid failure due to culturally inappropriate teaching. The class maintained Latino students' native language and increased language fluency by developing thinking, oral, and written Spanish skills. Eventually, students previously labeled "at…

Examines perceived obstacles encountered by collaborating teachers, administrators, and researchers in raising expectations for ninth graders at risk for failure in an inner-city high school. Findings illustrate that preventive action must move beyond the teacher-student dyad to include the context of expectations for students, teachers, and…

Summarizes certain gender expectations that exclude girls from science participation and lower female achievement, noting ways that schools can counter such barriers. The article discusses traditional forms of science, stereotypes of scientists and girls, male dominance in the classroom, teacher-student interaction, teacher attitudes toward…

Recounts a student teacher's field experience which involved conducting a case study of one elementary student. She followed the class's only Hispanic student who was labeled a low achiever with an uncooperative family but who was actually very capable. Though she could not intervene, the experience shaped her teaching career. (SM)

Describes a study in which average eighth graders in an urban junior high school were placed into prealgebra classes normally reserved for high achievers. The average achievers in the prealgebra classes understood mathematical concepts better and enrolled in more advanced mathematics classes during high school, than did their cohorts. (GLR)

Draws from in-depth interviews with 107 African-American, Hispanic, and Native American baccalaureate recipients regarding personal, educational, and societal influences on their decisions to persist in school and graduate. Highlights characteristics common to graduates, the problem of low teacher expectations, and strategies for successful…

Explores academic self-efficacy of 382 male and 319 female Chapter 1 elementary school students using the Self-Efficacy for Academic Tasks scale. Factor analyses reveal no sex differences in factor structure. Verbal skills and compliance explain 66 percent of the covariation. Efficacy beliefs decline between second and fifth grades. (SLD)

A total of 98 elementary school teachers described their strategies for dealing with problem students and the ways in which they would handle incidents presented in 2 vignettes. Teachers usually reported the same strategies but differed in the coherence and elaboration with which they articulated the strategies. (MDM)

Investigates how master music teachers maintain discipline in their classrooms. Suggests the discipline of music and the need to use time effectively encourage disciplined classroom environments. Stresses teachers' ability to balance musical goals with student needs and interests. Notes that students respect these teachers' musicianship and…

Labeling students by their behavior is dangerous because, once labels are established, it is difficult to see when they become inappropriate. The article discusses five levels of labeling and suggests that it is more appropriate to describe behavior than to describe people and objects. (SM)

Discusses how the Minority Mentorship Project, a cross-cultural program at Texas A & M University, changed the attitudes and perceptions of preservice teachers to work with a culturally diverse school-age population. Integration of multicultural education, human relations training, and cross-cultural mentoring provided appropriate strategies…

This study investigated the relationship between characteristics and views of 35 middle school sexuality education teachers and their students' responses to the course. Teacher and student questionnaires indicated a variety of teacher variables were significantly related to students' sexual knowledge, attitudes, and anticipated behaviors and to…

Black high school seniors and white high school seniors were surveyed regarding the influence of school counseling, parental agreement with educational goals, and curriculum choice on college aspirations. Black students used counseling more frequently. Though the races differed significantly in high school programs, there were no significant…