Problems generated by higher education institutional efforts to constrain faculty's instructional autonomy are evaluated. Given traditional administrative noninvolvement, such efforts can offend faculty expectations, leading to claims against the institution stemming from poor evaluations. Academic freedom values are examined as a heuristic for…

Asserts that, although portfolios are used frequently to evaluate art students, the potential of the portfolio as an intellectual, creative, and comprehensive test of artistic performance needs further exploration. Discusses the portfolio process as having three major components: (1) idea; (2) process; and (3) product. (CFR)

Asserts that the quality of any musical performance is a direct result of what happens in rehearsals. Argues that the primary responsibility for planning and implementing successful rehearsal sessions falls to the conductor. Describes a six-step approach for rehearsals, which should begin at least six months prior to the performance date. (CFR)

Tested model of college drinking behavior which included alcohol expectancies, living environment, peer influence, and gender. Findings from 92 college students revealed that 3 (alcohol expectancies, social assertion, college living arrangement) of the 4 variables of the model were predictive of present alcohol use. Only gender did not…

Describes a school reform project of the National Center for Research on Education, Diversity, and Excellence that studies teaching approaches and supporting activities for Zuni middle and high schools to encourage high expectations for all students. Principles of effective teaching for Native Americans are explored. (SLD)

This interview with Mara Sapon-Shevin discusses her interest in students with learning disabilities and giftedness, the negative effects of labeling students, what teachers can do to improve the social climate and peer acceptance in heterogeneous classrooms, and the need for teachers to teach all students as if they are gifted. (CR)

Describes the outcomes of a study that measured the attitudes of two middle school general-education teachers about inclusion. The general educators had high expectations for students with disabilities and perceived the participation and progress of students to be directly related to a special educator's presence in the class. (CR)

Finds first-grade boys whose teachers believed that boys are as successful as girls in beginning literacy scored approximately the same as girls on the Stanford Achievement Test, while first-grade boys whose teachers believed that boys are less successful than girls scored considerably lower than girls. Discusses how teachers' expectations or…

Discusses the importance of assessing student physical-education achievement related to their ability to demonstrate responsible personal and social behavior in physical-activity settings and demonstrate understanding and respect for differences among people in physical-activity settings. Notes how to measure student understanding and use of these…

Summarizes approaches identified in recent research that were used in schools in the United Kingdom that were effective in educating minority students. These effective schools were characterized by strong leadership, shared vision and goals, school organization, and high expectations for students. Treating students with dignity and respect was…

Summarizes arguments about student consumerism and postmodernity made by Delucchi (Michael) and Smith (William L.)(1997), and suggests some implications for higher education not considered by those authors. Discusses faculty responsibility for the rise of consumerist attitudes toward education, control of knowledge by higher education, and…

Uses data from pilot year of Pre-school Education Initiative in Scotland to look at the impact of government-introduced voucher system intended to expand preschool provision. Identifies four changes in provision and for the culture: playroom activities, expectations for purpose/outcomes of program, parental roles, and requirements for quality…

Delineates factors which facilitate or impede the relationship between classroom practices and teachers' understanding of the nature of science. Finds that teachers' conceptions of science do not necessarily influence classroom practice, though teachers' level of experience, intentions and perceptions of students were critically influential on…

Presents teacher and student responses that show a privileging of girls' writing over boys' writing. Finds that girls' writing was viewed as more detailed, descriptive, and showing greater conformity to writing conventions. Indicates a need for conversations that question an emphasis on conformity in writing and that explore ways to nurture…

Although postsecondary participation has soared during the past quarter century, the proportion of college students completing degrees has remained flat. White and higher-income kids graduate at much higher rates than their less advantaged classmates. Public policy's challenge is expanding successful intervention programs to a vastly larger scale.…