How students perceive standardized tests and routine classroom tests on subject matter units was studied by surveying 61 fifth-grade and 65 eighth-grade students in public schools in Michigan. It was hypothesized that older students would more often distinguish between the types of test and would be more cynical and less motivated than would…

This study examined students' active roles in constructing knowledge when learning new information in the domain of biological evolution. A computer-based connectionist methodology was developed to provide a way to present students with new information while the experimenter provides probe statements congruent with or contradictory to the…

This guide provides information for policy leaders who need to develop or revise action plans aimed at improving learning environments for an increasingly diverse student clientele. The self-assessment is organized into three sections. The first section introduces the self-assessment, defines key terms, discusses the conceptual framework that…

This 1992 yearbook presents the following 26 articles: "Tensions between Numbers and Knowing: A Study of Changes in Assessment during Implementation of Literature-Based Reading Instruction" (P. L. Scharer); "Story Reading in Daycare: A Help or a Hindrance?" (F. K. Hurley); "Preservice Teachers' Reminiscences of Positive and Negative Reading…

This periodical issue focuses on the theme of involvement of families in the education of their children with disabilities. It includes papers with the following titles and authors: "A Message from the Assistant Secretary: Developing Successful Partnerships between Parents and Service Providers" (Robert R. Davila); "Parent Advocacy…

This book examines current national and international issues tin higher education. Among issues addressed are: (1) the effect of racial, gender, and cultural issues on students and faculty; (2) the special needs of traditional age and adult freshmen; (3) the growing concerns about on- and off-campus safety; (4) the new blending of international…

This report of the proceedings of a conference on institutional research techniques contains information on the conference and 23 selected papers. Conference information includes the program, a list of steering committee members, and a list of attenders. The following papers are included: (1) "Examples of How Institutional Research Can Help…

The mission of today's school library media center is to help prepare students to enter the information age of the 21st century. To carry out this mission, library media specialists, administrators, and teachers must ensure that students can effectively locate, access, interpret, evaluate, and communicate information. The school library media…

Research on effective schools has identified a safe and orderly environment as a prerequisite for academic success, but in recent years educators and policy makers have expressed concern about possible increases in the incidence of school-related criminal behavior. Between 1976 and 1991, blacks were more likely to be threatened, and more likely to…

This report examines high school dropout and college participation rates in Minnesota and their relationship to such socioeconomic factors as race, family income, and parental education. The analysis uses data provided by the Minnesota Department of Education, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, Minnesota Planning, the Census Bureau, and the…

When Japanese education is considered from a Western perspective, the stereotypical image seems to be that of a rigid, achievement-oriented, and traditional system, producing technologically-focused human beings. This presentation focuses on the human and cultural dimensions of Japanese society and on how Japanese children are motivated to achieve…

The teaching of mathematics from a multicultural perspective is discussed. The first two chapters present a rationale for a multicultural approach to teaching mathematics. The third chapter aims to show, through brief examples, how such an approach can be applied to any school curriculum. The remaining four chapters discuss, in greater detail,…

This third annual report documents performance of Florida public high school graduates who became first-time-in-college students at public postsecondary institutions throughout the State within 1 year after graduation. The outcome report reflects the preparedness of Florida students for postsecondary education by documenting the number and…

Data presented in this report were collected in the 19th Annual National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering of 1990. The survey universe was composed of all institutions in the United States with departments or programs offering courses of study at the…

The teacher education program at New Mexico State University requires all undergraduate preservice teachers to enroll in a multicultural education course. This study was conducted to assess students' ideas, beliefs, and attitudes about multicultural issues, and to determine how the course may affect their view of the world. Two newspaper articles…