This study compared the effects of multi-age classroom strategies to those of traditional classroom strategies on the academic achievement of fourth grade students in reading and math. Standardized test scores from 20 fourth-grade students in two multi-age third- and fourth-grade classrooms were compared to the scores of 20 students from 7…

This essay, based on a national roundtable composed of science faculty, administrative leaders, foundation officers, and program directors examines the gap between advocacy and understanding that increasingly describes the status of science, mathematics, and technical education in the United States. The essay focuses on the capacity of the…

A hearing was held to consider the issues involved in funding the administration's proposals for certain educational testing. After opening remarks by Senators Kennedy (Massachusetts) , Specter (Pennsylvania), and Harkin (Iowa), the Secretary of Education, Richard W. Riley, spoke about the proposed tests. The Clinton Administration and Secretary…

This guide contains materials for a course in mathematical applications used by garment workers at the Apparel Group, Ltd. (ENRO). The course is designed to help employees understand the meaning of mathematical concepts, symbols, and functions; to acquire better mathematical skills, including fractions, percentages, and decimals; to develop…

Looping, also called multiyear teaching or replacement, is a nontraditional classroom arrangement in which the students have the same teacher for 2 successive years. Looping involves a partnership of at least two teachers who teach two different grade levels, but in alternate years. Research was conducted on the looping program at the Berino…

This book reviews alternative assessment. Suggestions include portfolios, interviews, observations, journals, and tests utilizing various rubrics. This book contains suggestions and materials that teachers can use to assess students' progress in problem solving, reasoning, and communication. Many performance tasks and problem-specific rubrics for…

The Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) is a state-mandated, criterion-referenced or mastery test that has been administered since the 1990-91 school year. The TAAS measures student mastery of the statewide curriculum in reading and mathematics at grades 3 through 8 and at the exit level, and in writing at grades 4 and 8 and at the exit…

This paper discusses the poor preparation of children with disabilities in math and science fields, and the perception that students with disabilities are not capable of doing work in science and math, which is often reinforced by teachers and parents. It is argued that the low expectations and waived requirements for children with disabilities…

This yearbook explores the relationship between elementary school technology education (ESTE) and the traditional subjects of the curriculum, reports on methods of ESTE implementation, and describes roles of teacher preparation and inservice professional development activities for promoting ESTE. Contents include an introductory chapter; 11…

For assessments that present problems that require extended responses and substantial amounts of time, there is often a desire to allow students to choose which problem they will respond to among two or more options. Student choice of problem may allow students a better opportunity to demonstrate what they know and are able to do. On the other…

The ExceL through Innovation grants program provides funding for elementary campuses to implement 4-year instructional and staff development programs designed to raise student achievement. All 66 campuses of the Austin Independent School District (Texas) received ExceL funding for the 1996-97 and 1997-98 school years, with the funded amount based,…

Evaluators usually assume that the data they receive are valid, or at least, that the data reflect that which is being evaluated. In a recent evaluation in a large southern school district, evaluators compared their raw interview notes with interview notes edited by the teachers interviewed or project staff. The program evaluated was Project SEED,…

The reliability of four branching algorithms commonly used in computer adaptive testing (CAT) was examined. These algorithms were: (1) maximum likelihood (MLE); (2) Bayesian; (3) modal Bayesian; and (4) crossover. Sixty-eight undergraduate college students were randomly assigned to one of the four conditions using the HyperCard-based CAT program,…

This paper presents findings of an analysis of the 1989-90 mathematics and reading portions of the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) and of perceptions of special education teachers participating in the MEAP. Noted are the purpose of the MEAP and exclusion for students who: (1) receive more than half their reading/English instruction…

The stability of teacher behavior has been one of the most important areas of process-product research. This study was designed to investigate teacher stability in the context of math instruction across classes and times of observation in order to assess the relationship between teaching styles and student learning outcomes. Specifically the study…