National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2001 geography results show student improvement since 1994 at grades 4 and 8. The average score of twelfth-grade students, however, has not changed significantly when compared to 1994 results. This colorfully illustrated and easy-to-read report, which highlights findings of "The Nation's…

The National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) was created by Congress to formulate policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Among the Board's responsibilities are developing objectives and test specifications and designing the assessment methodology for NAEP. This document provides the framework to guide the development…

Outlines several kinds of changes occurring in the history and philosophy of geography instruction in England. These are changes in the nature of the subject, changes in teaching methods, changes in school education, changes in undergraduate education; and student reactions to the subject. (MJP)

Examines children's knowledge and understanding of global spatial relationships. Utilizing cut-outs of continents to estimate their size in relation to Europe, the students consistently underestimated the size of Asia and overestimated Australia. Possible reasons for this are discussed and teaching approaches suggested. (MJP)

Asserts that the lack of adequate geography instruction for preservice teachers has reached the level of crisis. Identifies a number of academic pressures and prejudices that have contributed to this crisis. Discusses a series of established and proposed programs designed to address these deficiencies. (MJP)

Describes a teacher's experiments with improving students' writing in the geography classroom using peer editing exercises. Discusses the development and gives examples of the editing exercises and style sheets. Briefly reviews the theory of audience-centered communication. (MJP)

Focuses on how census data is used by geographers to identify spatial patterns and analyze relationships between the physical environment and human activities. Shows how census data may be used to enhance geographic education. Includes geography activities on migration and per capita income that use census data. (LS)

Analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the 1984 Jackson Committee report, "The Australian Overseas Aid Program." Urges the use of the report in the classroom as a basis for discussing overseas aid policy, demonstrate the problematic nature of North-South relationships, and encourage students to become part of the overseas aid program…

Reviewed are three computer software programs: (1) "World GeoGraph"--geography, discovery tool, grades 6-12, Apple IIGS; (2) "Grammatik III"--language arts, grade 7-adult, IBM, PS/2, Tandy 1000; (3) "Words & Concepts I, II, III"--language and concept training for special education, age 3-9, Apple II with speech…

Maintains that, although geography is being revived in the K-12 curriculum, preservice teachers are not benefiting from the cooperative efforts of geography and education faculties. Argues that geography faculty have new reasons and new opportunities to collaborate with geography teacher education. (CFR)

Addresses concern that students in North America and Europe do not know place name geography. Discusses the use of mnemonic learning in geography and maintains that it is a positive teaching aid. Illustrates the use of mnemonics in instruction and recommends mnemonics workshops at geography education conferences. (CFR)

Discusses the impact of Marxist geography on course content and textbooks in college geography. Reviews three textbooks. Identifies four persistent problems in the representation of Marxist geography. Suggests a template through which teachers can offer students a more discriminating account of that model. (CFR)

Maintains that writing ability is vital in fulfilling geography discipline objectives of mutual understanding and emancipation. Reports on a study of the use of writing groups in college geography classrooms in the United States and Australia. Includes a student essay evaluation guide as an appendix. (CFR)

Discusses instructional uses for the "Carmen Sandiego" software series to encourage interest in geography. Suggests "Carmen" be incorporated into the curriculum by teacher-directed grouping that adds teacher instruction into cooperative and competitive arenas, curriculum integration linking diverse specialties, and isolated…

Asserts that increasing enrollments in college-level geography courses have led to larger class sizes and the dangers of impersonal treatment of students. Provides suggestions for improved interpersonal connections, connections with the content being studied, and connections with the world beyond the university. (CFR)