In an effort to determine the underlying roots of kindergartners' unruly behavior during dismissal time, this study examined the children's conversational topics during classroom dismissal routines. Using participant observation as the primary method of data collection, researchers observed seven dismissals, each lasting approximately 45 minutes,…

A project was designed to help mainstream teachers in Grades 1-3 facilitate language learning in all students, but especially in those who have language disorders. A naturalistic study followed teachers participating in the project to examine what factors promote change in teachers' knowledge, beliefs, and practice. The overall approach to…

Although school accreditation has a long history in the United States, relatively few elementary schools have sought and attained regional accreditation status. This paper examines the issues in regional accreditation for elementary schools with a focus on the process and benefits to the individual school. Steps in the process include self-study,…

The perceptions of early elementary disabled students of their classroom learning environments were studied through multiple data collection methods. These perceptions were compared with observations of students in their learning environments (triangulated). Twelve disabled students from six classrooms were interviewed and observed, and they…

This booklet is designed to help teachers begin documenting in the classroom and is a supplement to "Windows on Learning: Documenting Young Children's Work." In that book, three "windows" were used to provide a framework for thinking about documentation: a Window on a Child's Development, a Window on a Learning Experience, and a Window for Teacher…

A study examined first-year students' out-of-class lives, focusing on the "potentially rich" environment created when students who are enrolled in a first-year seminar also live together. The students observed were members of the University of Vermont's Living and Learning Center. Both the living environment and the class were designed…

This report presents information for implementing teacher evaluation. The first section explains that the purpose of teacher evaluation is to recognize quality teaching, improve teacher performance and instruction, identify and assist teachers having difficulty, and identify incompetent teaching. Subsequent sections discuss the positive outcomes…

A quality evaluation program is needed to determine student progress in the language arts. Evaluation procedures emphasized should appraise in terms of stated objectives. A variety of procedures should be used since no approach is perfect. Approaches include: instructor observation of student progress; completion of checklists or rating scales;…

This handbook provides suggestions for gathering and interpreting information about students' reading behavior; planning instruction that develops students' reading skills; and planning instruction that reinforces and extends students' reading skills in areas where they are successful. After a brief introductory section, the handbook presents a…

This paper presents a scale to evaluate the social interactions between students with severe disabilities and nondisabled students in integrated settings. The Educational Assessment of Social Interaction (EASI) was developed to be used with relatively little training but still be sensitive to the following major dimensions of interactions: (1)…

Using qualitative inquiry, this study provided a descriptive autobiographical revelation of the various developmental experiences of a preservice French teacher. A major focus on the subjective aspects of the teacher candidate's development provided additional information concerning her mental and personal life and the influence they have on her…

A study of a junior-level grammar class for preservice teachers was conducted by an observer at Miami University of Ohio to determine the effectiveness of a Socratic teaching style that allowed the teacher to do most of the talking. Students in the class also participated in the observation; they were interviewed regularly by the graduate student.…

The Third College at the University of California, San Diego developed a peer observation program in which first-year composition instructors (mostly graduate teaching assistants) observe each other once per quarter. The peer observation program is not part of the process by which the writing program directors evaluate the instructors, but…

Gender differences in self-esteem across time were investigated by means of a comparison of the extent of congruence between an individual's self Q-sort and his or her Q-sort of the ideal self. Self Q-sorts were done when subjects were 11, 14, 18, and 23 years of age; they were done on separate occasions, at least a week apart. Ideal self Q-sorts…

Exploratory research was conducted to generate hypotheses regarding behaviors of a 2-year-old subject during social interaction with multi-age partners. The subject of the study was a female child age 2 years and 4 months. Interactions observed were limited to those occurring with a number of partners who were members of the subject's social…