Examines Sarason's (1995) political principle, "if you are going to be affected, directly or indirectly, by a policy, you should stand in some relationship to the decision-making process." Uses ethnographic research to explore face-to-face interactions of day care workers within the larger highly asymmetric and regulated relational day…

Five studies examined the effect of dysphoric mood on perceivers' subjective unitization of an observed other's ongoing behavior into discrete meaningful actions. Dysphoria generally reduced unitization rate (i.e., number of actions discriminated). Additional evidence indicates this reduction results from failure to initiate a higher (more…

Presents the results of three experiments investigating the time course of grammaticality judgement. The high correlations among the experiments suggest that the incremental tasks assigned were tapping into the same decision-making process as is found online. The article discusses the findings' implications for the error types that do and do not…

Provides an insightful look at the administrative and negotiative processes that accompanied the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. Although John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev both worked to avoid nuclear war, the stress and exhaustion of the negotiating process created serious blunders. Eventually both sides backed away from nuclear annihilation. (MJP)

Two studies focused on concurrent validity and instructional decision making in using alternative reading measures with elementary regular and special education students. The first study examined the relation of oral reading performance to several other reading measures; the second study investigated teacher decision making, using quantitative and…

Argues that impending and inevitable changes to geography fieldwork can be better understood through an appreciation of the systemic nature of fieldwork. This appreciation can help in integrating changes into fieldwork. Discusses various management system models and approaches. (MJP)

Reports on a study where students were given characteristics of a target pupil and then asked which career area that pupil would pursue. Although the given characteristics refuted traditional stereotypes (male/social interests, female/technical interests) the students maintained that the target pupil would choose traditional careers. (MJP)

One of five articles in the section on the "Promise and Purpose of Professional Development Schools," this article examines challenges that arise when preservice teacher education occurs mainly within professional development schools (PDS). Suggests that for PDS to promote reform, partners must set aside preconceived notions and share in decision…

Presents a classroom guidance program for students in elementary, middle, or high school. The program is intended to educate students about nontraditional families, promote positive attitudes toward them, teach decision making and coping skills related to family issues, and show understanding for children of single parent and stepfamilies. (TE)

Presents the school-based mediation program at Law and Public Service Magnet High School (Cleveland, Ohio). Highlights the positive results involving students in school governance. Argues traditional discipline policies obstruct student ethical development. Narrates several examples of students resolving conflicts, becoming engaged with their…

Preschoolers, first, and second graders in multiage groups learned about space along with learning about language and report writing in a semester-long unit. Participation in project decision making resulted in a high degree of ownership by students. (ET)

A study of Brigham Young University (Utah) graduates, 1980-88, looked at patterns in change of major among transfer students and those entering as freshmen. Results are reported concerning early statement of major, open vs. specified major, gender differences, academic achievement, frequency of change, and time to graduation in each year's cohort.…

Factors that influence precollege decision making were investigated, through case studies of three rural gifted female college students. Participants saw themselves as intelligent, independent, outspoken, and goal-directed, and expected to be involved in dual career and partnership relationships. Career decisions, family support, and time…

Describes how school districts in Alberta (Canada) are successfully applying principles of total quality management (TQM). Overviews TQM principles and applications in educational settings including creating a constancy of purpose for educational improvement, eliminating student grading, managing a complete system, focusing on stakeholder…

Describes how the principal of a predominantly minority elementary school in Chicago (Illinois) took control of the school from local gangs and from the Local School Council, emphasizing her leadership and work to bring the faculty together through her active involvement and teachers' participative decision making. (SM)