This commentary on the study reported in this monograph focuses on three topics raised by the study: (1) social systems, or individuals in the context of institutions; (2) the study of development through the use of disabled populations as experiments in human growth; and (3) the ability of intervention programs to manipulate development. (BC)

Consistency of moral judgment across different dilemmas and social contexts and the relationship between the structure and content of moral judgment was studied for 40 men given hypothetical dilemmas. Findings demonstrate that type of dilemma may affect the structure of moral reasoning and illustrate various stages of moral reasoning. (SLD)

According to cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of the impact of state characteristics on participation in adult literacy education (1970-87), structural features such as program availability and state support have a demonstrated effect on the rate of participation. (SK)

Analyzes the evolving U.S. principalship between 1960 and the present, focusing on three influential roles: program manager, instructional leader, and transformational leader. Assesses these roles in light of contextual changes, particularly developments in national and state educational policy. Unfortunately, a strong administrative leader image…

An exploration of the interpretive potential semiotics offers for study and understanding of meaning production in science classrooms is presented. Some very basic concepts of the theory are introduced, followed by analysis of a single science lesson. The organization of the room, the structure of the lesson, and the behavior and interaction of…

Surveyed 235 randomly selected teachers to investigate their sense of well-being in the context of 10 child care activities. Results indicated that child-related education, experience, and interaction did not influence the overall well-being of teachers. Nurturing children and working with parents were found to be their most enjoyable and least…

Edinburgh University's adult education course taught science to reentry students in a structure using the knowledge and experience adults bring to class and their idiosyncratic understanding of science based on what they perceive as useful. Results suggest the need to reconceptualize scientific literacy. (SK)

This response to Norman Bray (EC 609 160) analyzes the methodology and findings of the original study and concludes that studies of strategy production must look at not only the mentally retarded child's cognitive capacities in problem solving but also the social and contextual conditions that affect the child's representation and use of…

Presents a critique of the social and political contexts in which the idea of construct validation developed. It outlines rhetorical, empirical, and philosophical dimensions of the concept and offers an alternative viewpoint for the conceptualization of construct validation. (SLD)

Schools' characteristics obstruct reform because teacher and student norms and values are at variance with one another. Because most reforms gobble teacher time, reduce teacher autonomy, and disturb current routines, they frequently fail. Chances for success will improve when context or reforms directly addressing organizational features are…

Sociometric status assessment of mainstreamed Hispanic pupils in grades four and five found that learning-disabled pupils (n=60) received lower sociometric peer ratings than nonhandicapped peers, though considerable variability existed and sociometric context influenced status. Thirty percent of the disabled sample were in the rejected status…

Research on teacher thinking often isolates teachers from their social and historical context. The paper discusses teacher thinking and action based on concepts of practical reason and logic. It examines ways to connect teacher thinking with the context of the thinking and notes the connection between action and context. (SM)

Using a connectionist framework, it is possible to develop models exploring effects of biologically relevant variables on behavior. The ability of such models to explain schizophrenic behavior in terms of biological disturbances is considered, and computer models are presented that simulate normal and schizophrenic behavior in an attentional task.…

Describes school principal leadership in the United States, reviews current literature, and suggests future research for facilitating effective school administrator preparation in various contexts. Leaders are only sometimes "masters of their fates." Given the current demands for implementing school-level reforms, too much leadership is being…

Discusses the design of situated learning and the ecological psychology of situated cognition. Topics addressed include the teacher's role; teacher training; anchored instruction; transfer skills; the meaning of learning; apprenticeships; and the Jasper Series, a macrocontext designed to investigate the issues of situated learning. (46 references)…