Examines preservice teachers' perceptions of music teaching, elementary students, musical content, and school contexts. Ninety preservice teachers responded to a series of experiences that included participating in a model lesson, observing an interview with a general music teacher, and discussing the components of educational experiences. (MJP)

Assessed the influence of the racial consciousness attitudes and identity of 126 white prospective teachers on their perceptions of the teachability of students of various racial/ethnic backgrounds. Perceptions of these student teachers varied with the race and ethnicity of the students and for cognitive and personal/social variables. (SLD)

Presents a personal perspective of a young teacher from a rural background and his experiences teaching music in an all-boys high school in New York City's South Bronx. Includes brief recommendations for creative and innovative ideas to motivate students and keep them focused. (MJP)

This study examined teaching practices in four suburban high school advanced placement (AP) American History classrooms using case study methodology. Results indicated that more effective teachers distributed and asked more questions, had higher engagement rates, had greater feedback on assignments, and had greater participation and success rates.…

Asserts that students see grades as an indicator of effort unconnected to the content of the course while teachers regard grades as a measure of achievement within a discipline. Discusses some of the current controversies and approaches concerning grades and how they relate to school reform. (MJP)

Describes the academic status of African American boys in public schools, and how teacher preconceptions and latent prejudices precipitate lower expectations and an educational climate different for black students than for white students. Includes quotes from black students who are achieving despite such problems. (HTH)

Examines the role of early-education research in addressing issues of educational disadvantage and inequality, particularly in light of 1990s politics, which emphasizes the marketplace metaphor. Discusses the culture of achievement and failure, effects of disadvantaged background on young children's understanding of the learning task, teacher…

This study examined the impact of Scotland's national curriculum for students ages 5-14 on: teachers' constructs of their teaching, assumptions about students' learning, and interpretations of and accommodations for student differences. Observations and interviews indicated that teachers had not internalized distinctive curriculum features in…

An interview with three top students and an English teacher at a troubled urban high school in Portland (Oregon) yields interesting insights: The best teachers blend strictness with understanding. Learning is more lasting when multiple avenues for absorbing material are provided. A principal's strong leadership is critical to a cohesive school…

The purpose of this study is to elaborate the issue of exemplary teaching in chemistry in the context of a centralized educational system, in which chemistry curriculum development and implementation are also centrally controlled. Students' perceptions of the learning environment were also investigated. (KR)

Case studies of six high schools identified eight features that promote the success of language-minority (LM) students: (1) respect for students' languages and cultures; (2) teachers' high expectations of students; (3) LM as a leadership priority; (4) staff development; (5) LM-specific courses; (6) counseling; (7) parent involvement; and (8)…

Explores teachers' beliefs and theories about students' thinking by examining the teachers' instructional goals, views on the depth versus breadth of content coverage issue, and conceptions of students' thinking. Finds important differences between teachers who were effective at promoting thoughtful classroom discourse and those who were not.…

An ethnographic study analyzed videotapes using simulated recall procedure and comparative analysis of a student opinionnaire to determine effective characteristics of teachers of gifted junior high schools students. Desirable traits noted were humor, enthusiasm, creativity, care and respect for students, and high expectations. (MSE)

Aided by a small state grant, a Los Angeles County elementary school serving limited-English-speaking students tackled its underachievement problem by involving teachers in setting higher academic standards and expectations. The goal-driven project has provided focus and coherence to classroom instruction and improved fifth-grade reading and…

Shows how a working class Chinese-American family prepares its only child for school success. This bilingual child of immigrants is successful academically and socially. The importance of high family expectations and the goal directedness of the parents is emphasized, as is the ambivalence the parents feel toward school. (SLD)