With its inadequate training methods and disregard for teaching and learning knowledge base, Wendy Kopp's Teach for America (TFA) program continues a long tradition of devaluing urban students and deprofessionalizing teaching. One elementary school principal found that recruits lacked teaching skills and were not really dedicated to meeting…

The newly authorized Chapter 1 contains specific provisions for state and local agencies related to improving program quality. A review of state standards since 1989-90 shows that states use minimum standards to identify schools needing improvement and that program improvement requirements have generally failed to stimulate high student…

Organizational change will be a major theme of the school reform movement. Despite restructuring efforts, schools are still operated on the factory system model. Using the social norms concept, this paper examines schools as informal organizations and advocates staff development as an essential key for changing informal relationships (roles)…

This study compared responses to a survey on critical social behaviors completed by 79 persons who had prior experience with employees with mental retardation and 59 persons without such experience. Findings revealed that prior experience did not appear to affect ratings though other factors, such as knowing the purpose of the survey, did…

Study examined relationships between the amounts and types of teacher behavior directed toward individual students. Researchers observed six experienced elementary physical education teachers. Teachers interacted differently with students who displayed different characteristics. Results suggest teachers unconsciously react to student…

This article explores the use of the categorical label of learning disabled for determining eligibility for preschool special education programs. Specific concerns include definitional issues, the dangers of labeling and low expectation sets, failure to demonstrate movement through a continuum of services, and the efficacy of early intervention.…

Data from two British secondary schools using the process model in technology education show that (1) it is difficult to ensure that whole-group teaching is relevant to individual students; (2) the facilitator demand on the teacher is high; and (3) students must understand what they are expected to learn. (JOW)

Examines the effects of teachers' relationships with at-risk students and the curriculum and instructional methods used to teach them to read and write. Presents an instructional approach that alters the way at-risk students are taught. (MG)

Definitions of the male role are changing as more men seek fulfillment in family life, redefine success, or attempt to balance family and career. Corporate structure no longer fits the lives of many men, but employers continue to resist change. (SK)

The oppressive mechanisms of racism suppress the development of children of color. Teachers must critically analyze school structures; conventional notions of ideology and identity; and cultural artifacts such as ideas, ideals, language, and routines to reveal how they reproduce the racism of the larger society. (SK)

Lists the characteristics that college instructors expect in first-year writing. Suggests ways that a writing instructor can resist such simplistic expectations. Provides five basic strategies for subverting these expectations. (HB)

Describes the development of the Career Success Expectations Scale and its application to two different significant career transitions. Two samples (161 managers and 103 managers obtaining a graduate degree) were used in exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and the three-factor structure from the exploratory analysis was confirmed with…

Assessed the effects of a proactive instructional approach to school-wide discipline in common areas of an urban elementary school of 555 students on the social interactions of students and referrals for disciplinary action. Results show a clear improvement in social behavior that was maintained throughout the experiment. (SLD)

Many colleges have summer academic programs for high school students; some design special courses, while others admit the students to regular college courses. Some target gifted students. While participation in the programs, which are easy to get into, does not assure later entry to the institution, many parents have that expectation. The programs…

Reports on survey results from instructors regarding phonology courses offered at their institutions. Results indicate that there is great variation in phonology course offerings, content foci, participant task requirements, and course readings and that these instructors want increased access to recorded samples of second language learners' speech…