To identify specific instructional features prompting meaningful change among teacher candidates, this literature review evaluated studies that examined the influence of teacher education coursework on preservice teachers' conceptions and practices. Literature came from books and from journals published between 1992-96. The review examined whether…

The National Science Foundation funded Rural Systemic Initiatives (RSI), a set of systemic reforms created to enhance math, science, and technology education in economically disadvantaged, rural areas. Central to RSI efforts are the implementation of six drivers of educational system reform: 1) standards-based curricula, instruction, and…

Noting that children in every corner of the planet are affected by war or the threat of war, this booklet for parents and early childhood educators provides an introduction to children's fears concerning armed conflict and terrorist attacks and offers strategies for helping children work through their fears. The chapters are as follows: (1)…

This paper describes a 3-year project that combines classroom and real-life experiences to change how teachers are taught and learn to teach. The University of Georgia's College of Education developed a teacher education model that teaches and places prospective teachers in the context in which they will work (the classroom) and in the context in…

In light of recent international studies regarding children's mathematics achievement, this review examines United Kingdom research and literature into early numeracy. The review is designed to provide information about a range of teaching strategies as well as to stimulate discussion and challenge current practices. The review addresses the…

The teacher education program at Western Montana College helps preservice teachers understand how the local context of the rural school and its community impacts student learning and the teacher's role. Coursework and multiple field experiences help preservice teachers identify their own cultural background and give them experience in teaching…

Analyzes the relationship between Christian religious education and revelation from the perspective of liberationist theology. Defines revelation less as an ecstatic spiritual experience and more as a call to live and work in a similar fashion as Christ. Discusses the implications of this for the modern church. (MJP)

Maintains that the contextualization (a critical awareness of the social forces that shape one's thinking) of religious education can only proceed with the contextualization of theology. Discusses this process from the perspective of racial-ethnic minorities. Although this process occurs at the margins of public life it often produces creative…

Discusses the importance of teacher attitude and its interconnections with beliefs and teaching behavior. The article introduces a model to explain the gap between statements of intent and the reality of what happens in classrooms. Concludes that beliefs about innovation and its consequences are important in determining behavior and attitude…

Investigates the revision strategies of Spanish native-speaker undergraduates writing in two different discourse types and in two time conditions by analyzing postwriting interview protocols. Results suggest that revision strategies may be initiated by past learning experiences and respond to the perceived nature of the task and the current…

Assessed settings and caregiver-infant interaction in five types of nonmaternal child care: day care centers; child care homes; in-home sitters; grandparents; and fathers. Found that small group sizes, low child-adult ratios, caregivers' nonauthoritarian child-rearing beliefs, and safe, clean, and stimulating physical environments were associated…

Examines the variable realization of the third person singular -s by Shona learners of English in Zimbabwe. Results reveal little morphological variability among elementary learners and a grammatical variability among intermediate learners that is sensitive to linguistic context and indicative of a tendency to inflect verbs to mark the third…

Investigates the relative influences of medium and context variables by comparing seven- and eight-year-old children's spoken and written explanations in varying contexts: a story task, a question task, a sentence completion task, and a whole sentence production task. Findings reveal the significant influence of context as compared to medium on…

Focuses on English as an additional language assessment practices in England and summarizes a recent survey of the assessment frameworks being used in different parts of the country. Findings are discussed with reference to the need to develop appropriate assessment practices within the national curriculum. (11 references) (Adjunct ERIC…

Examines the dynamics of foster care in a range of countries at different stages of economic development, focusing on the context of the family, social networks, the state, and nongovernmental organizations, and from the perspective of professional support. Argues that foster care should be addressed within the context of wider child protective…