This paper is a critique of problem-based learning and focuses on, first, the concept of life as problem-governed and professional practice as problem-solving; and, second, the utility of problem-based learning as a pedagogical approach in pre-professional training. The paper suggests that a problem-based approach to professional education is…

This paper reports on five related studies on upper elementary school students' beliefs about the role of real-world knowledge in solving mathematical word problems, and on possibilities of overcoming their unrealistic mathematical modeling. Findings from the first study of 75 Belgian fifth-grade students showed that as a consequence of current…

Much can be learned from California's Puente Project Model that would help students' success in classrooms as well as in college in general, and in their daily lives. Puente, which means "bridge" in Spanish, began in 1982 at Chabot College in northern California and is now in 38 colleges and 19 high schools statewide. Originally designed…

This manual has been developed to assist school districts in Michigan in their efforts to retain students who have made vocational education choices that are nontraditional for their sex. The manual provides school districts with four alternative ways of supporting nontraditional vocational education students: (1) nontraditional student club; (2)…

This book reviews the history of the University of Chicago Laboratory School established by John Dewey in light of the current resurgent interest in the ideas and work of this educator. Chapter 1 deals with two lessons: the social nature of learning and developmentally appropriate practice. Chapter 2 examines the laboratory school idea as…

This paper provides a list of variables identified as important to learning that emerged from a "meta-review" of the professional literature, as well as a summary of consensus ratings of these variables by professionals in the field. The variables are organized into six major categories: (1) state and district variables; (2) out of school…

A study investigated attitudes and preferences concerning reading among fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students in Portuguese-language schools in the United States. Extrinsic factors influencing students (parents, teachers) were also analyzed. The research took place in 10 schools in 5 states. Data were obtained using questionnaires (students)…

A project was undertaken to develop a model that adult basic and literacy education (ABLE) programs throughout Pennsylvania could use as a framework to develop and implement collaborative family literacy programs in cooperation with human services agencies and community-based organizations, including providers of Even Start, Head Start, and other…

This study tested a model of career development for assistant professors in higher education which permits inferences about the relationships between scholarly characteristics acquired during the probationary period and the probability of achieving tenure. The probationary period is the time between hiring and evaluation for awarding tenure. The…

This manual provides guidelines for the involvement of educators in combating the problem of child abuse and neglect. It is designed to delineate the roles that teachers, school counselors, school nurses, special education professionals, administrators, and other school and day care personnel have in helping maltreated children. It specifically…

Field experiences for preservice teachers are replete with problems including insufficient budgets and concerns about the dominance of the preservice teacher, cooperating teacher, and university supervisor triad. This paper advocates the development of a diadic model that would, through training, expand the supervisory role of the cooperating…

This paper evaluates existing national examination development processes in light of changes created by curriculum reform, and the restructuring and expansion of basic education. A model is proposed that creates a strong alignment of national examinations and a national basic education curriculum. Practical examples from Botswana, where the model…

A study examined statewide implementation of the Arizona Department of Education's vocational technological education (ADE/VTE) model and the feasibility of using Arizona's performance standards in evaluating processes/outcomes at model sites. Data were collected from a pilot study of 12 sites and survey of 128 Arizona local education authorities…

This paper reports the findings of the first annual evaluation of the Full Service Schools Grant of the Family Services Center in Gainesville, Florida. The Family Services Center is a coordinated effort among local, state, and federal agencies to provide integrated health, education, and social services to qualified families who may require a…

This document describes the development and content of five videocassettes used to depict diverse approaches to kindergarten education to preservice and current teachers and teacher educators. Developed under a faculty development grant from the University of South Dakota, the tapes range between 15 and 25 minutes in duration. The first tape,…