Three big ideas from brain science have arisen during the past 20 to 30 years: neural connections form rapidly early in life; critical periods occur in development; and enriched environments profoundly affect brain development during the early years. Current brain research has little to offer educational practice or policy. (10 references) (MLH)

Presents a survey and analysis of research related to the development of concepts of matter. Proposes that the clarity with which students understand the distinction between matter and objects influences their explanations. Contains 111 references. (DDR)

Studies aspects of the conceptual reorganization and change of students aged 12-18 (N=40). Describes conceptual change through case studies and students' identifications of chemical reactions. Contains 18 references. (DDR)

Because of continuous centering and recentering, paradigm shifts posited by Kuhn are not really changes; they are commensurate. New theories are simply old theories remade and renamed. The alternative is to consider conceptual diversity, abandoning the idea of a paradigm or a singular field of theory and practice. (Contains 27 references.) (MLH)

Studies (n=51) inservice school teachers with regard to their orientations toward geoscience phenomena in general and deep time in particular. Aims to identify the nature of idiosyncratic conceptions of deep time and propose a curricular Deep Time Framework for teacher education. (Contains 29 references.) (Author/YDS)

A proponent rebuts claims that charter schools rob funds and students from regular public schools, gamble with children's lives and taxpayers' money, are not truly accountable, resemble other public schools, undermine democratic values, underserve disabled children, marginalize minorities, invite profiteering, front for vouchers; and represent…

Investigates patterns of students' science thinking across four different science phenomena focusing on changes that come with age and science education. Asks secondary school students whether offered sentences appearing on a computer screen that gave different explanations for four common changes in materials made any sense to them. (Contains 20…

Addresses the use of mathematics when studying the physics of electromagnetism. Focuses on common electromagnetic concepts and their associated mathematical representation and arithmetical tools. Concludes that most students do not understand the significant aspects of physical situations and have difficulty using relationships and models specific…

Introduces an activity on the changes of matter. Uses different colors to represent the phases of water in different temperature ranges and discusses the phase changes of other chemicals. Includes an activity sheet. (YDS)

The past several decades have seen a full-scale assault on American public education. On the 200th anniversary of Horace Mann's birth, AASA's (American Association of School Administrators)executive director introduces several "contrarians" whose writings celebrate public education's success in this special issue. In Jack McKay's…

Good inservices result from effective communication among administrators, educators, and presenters. Common problems (beyond speakers' control) include ill-defined topics, unexpected audience members, audience size and deportment, unavailable equipment, overly ambitious goals, and lack of continuity. Effective inservices often use conference-style…

In a November 1995 "Educational Leadership" article, Eric Hanushek claimed that neither educational spending nor class size affects student achievement. A rigorous reanalysis of the evidence, including Hanushek's own data, shows that resources matter. While increased spending will not automatically produce increased achievement, adequate…

Debunks several myths that have arisen in schools' misapplication of the author's multiple intelligences (MI) theory. Argues that seven intelligences do not require seven different intelligence tests. An intelligence is a construct, not a domain, discipline, or learning style. MI theory is empirical and compatible with general intelligence theory.…

Discusses results of a Missouri study that assessed the effect of open records laws on the accessibility of financial reports of local government. When approaching selected organizations for the study, most inquirers successfully obtained such reports, indicating that anecdotes about agency noncompliance may not be a correct indicator of…

A steady diet of bad news and undeserved criticism has created a national climate of skepticism about public education. As reports about schools' failings are publicized by the news media, educators turn inward, failing to rebut the reports and triggering unwarranted attacks by the political far right. News media and a skeptical public must become…