Knowledge gained from personal involvement in radical reform is used as the starting point for this discussion of various conceptual and practical aspects of change. Guidelines for considering projects of change are identified and examined in light of a particular case involving teacher education reform at a public research university. (IAH)

Describes the current situation of physical education in American elementary, middle, and high schools, including fitness testing and the influence of outside agencies (state departments of education, professional associations, and colleges and universities). Recommendations are made to improve the situation for physical education, especially in…

Considers the schools of thought in language and learning, and examines how their theories and propositions affect teachers. Characterizes the teacher as a professional manager and discusses what it means to be such a person. Investigates what managers and teachers know and need to know-in-practice. (KEH)

Seeks to define the term social studies through a discussion of the historical origin of the word. Concludes that the prevailing definitional consensus on social studies as citizenship education is rarely translated into actual classroom practice. Urges an emphasis upon rational inquiry rather than reification of the status quo. (KO)

Describes how the outdoor education program in Waterloo County (Ontario) has become an important component of the school system by developing a sound philosophy, staying abreast of educational trends, implementing professional development, providing data on the value of outdoor education, developing community partnerships, and initiating projects…

This paper urges educators of deaf students to make a greater effort to teach science conceptually to foster real understanding and produce scientifically literate students. The state of science education in general, and for deaf students specifically, is reviewed. Recommendations stress process-oriented teaching, cooperative learning, and…

Characterizes the social, political, and economic climate underlying educational dilemmas and visions in Czechoslovakia and other Eastern European countries after the fall of communism. Discusses the debate between state control of education and liberal educational approaches facing the area and stresses the importance of teachers in the shaping…

Describes the background, main elements, and contradictions of the educational administration reforms in Hungary in the late 1980's decentralizing the education system. Considers similar issues in post-communist Eastern Europe and suggests that other countries' experiences be utilized to create the theoretical basis for decentralization and…

Proposes a form of discourse analysis to link theory and practice in an account of effective practice in physical education. The analysis is applied to two lessons by preservice students who introduce more "considered, sensitive teaching" and focuses on the interactive patterns between participants as indicators of a framework for…

The theoretical basis and practical alternatives of critical pedagogy are applied to graduate courses in physical education by illustrating how critical pedagogy affirms the personal and bridges it to the political; by analyzing and deconstructing the faulty paradigmatic assumptions of physical education in higher education; and by providing an…

The principles underlying development of software for computer-based instruction and collaborative learning are examined, and it is concluded that although traditional software and hardware originate from traditions of individual learning, software designed to aid in collaborative learning originates from conceptualizations of group learning. (MSE)

This paper examines the pressures placed on northern Manitoba (Canada) communities to meet provincial legislative requirements for certification of special education teachers, the special needs of native northerners, and principles guiding an appropriate education program. Special emphasis is given to the need for distance education and…

One of five articles on professional development schools in this theme issue. Naturalistic research methods were used to identify the characteristics that supported changes in professional development initiatives, restructuring, and teaching and learning in Crescentview School (Michigan), a multicultural, multilingual, elementary professional…

Data from a descriptive study of the impact of professional development school (PDS) involvement on teacher preparation at three Massachusetts colleges is related to three themes: uniqueness of PDS-related techniques, approaches, and philosophy; mechanism and spread of these techniques, approaches, and philosophy; and signs of institutionalization…

Using the Foxfire approach, an elementary school teacher taught young children about democracy through participation in classroom decision making. Activities included student discussion and decision making about a classroom theme and class rules. Includes student comments and drawings about what democracy means, both in and outside of the…