This article highlights the problems of teacher socialization or acculturation within schools, suggests ideas for improvement of existing patterns, and provides examples of school and district indoctrination programs. Also discussed are general principles from the socialization literature and results from a study which demonstrates how existing…

Recent research documents students' misconceptions about key math and science ideas, parochial views of history, and tendency to reduce complex literary works to stereotypes. To improve understanding, learners should focus on activities asking them to generalize, find new examples, and apply principles thoughtfully. Teachers should pursue…

This study, involving 40 students (grades 2-8) with learning disabilities, found that students who participated in curriculum-based measurement test-taking strategy training scored higher on a posttreatment computation test than students without the strategy training. Use of a goal strategy did not result in any achievement differences.…

Use of a personal calendar increased the responsibilities fulfilled by eight secondary-level special needs students. Responsibilities included a wide range of academic, personal, social, and vocational activities. Calendar usage and responsibility completion were maintained beyond the training period. Students, parents, teachers, and employers…

Ten themes emerged from a national survey (n=270) on biased and exemplary practice concerning lesbian, gay, and bisexual issues. Methodology, theme descriptions, and implications for practice are presented. (Author)

Students who attended presentations by lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals were asked to write about their experiences (n=260). Student writings were analyzed to determine how they perceived and explained their own changes as a result of attending the panel. (JBJ)

Responses to interview questions regarding self-determination opportunities, outcomes, and importance were compared across 21 adults with developmental disabilities and 20 advocates. Self-determination skills in the areas of problem solving, assertiveness, decision making, and goal setting were also addressed. Areas of agreement and disagreement…

Performance standards are a powerful means to begin the process of systemic educational change. An educational culture must be created in which standards become the internalized goals of everyone in the system. Principles for developing internalized standards are discussed, along with appropriate government roles. (JDD)

Two studies involving 331 children ages 9 to 11 years examined the proposal that the functions served by children's attention to peers' work differ in informational focus and in goal focus. Goal condition affected goal, but not informational, functions of looking at peers' work. Implications for social comparison theory are discussed. (SLD)

Describes a method of organizing the hypertext software files in a database containing legal information on housing discrimination to prevent the user from becoming disoriented in the system. The expert system of which the database is a part is explained, and the disorientation problem is discussed. (six references) (LRW)

The University of Pennsylvania's major gift officers have specific goals for interaction with donor prospects, including proportions of time spent in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Guidelines are based on staff experience, nature of the prospect pool, faculty support, campaign stage, volunteer management, administrative support,…

Guidelines for college publications professionals seeking to improve their productivity include these: set priorities; consider the consequences of each project; spend minimal time on trivial tasks; focus on your goal; identify the slowest task, which may limit a project's effectiveness; make appointments; avoid taking work home; and schedule…

Addresses the issue of master music teachers' motivation. Describes motivation as a learned habit reflecting these characteristics: clarity of purpose, delayed gratification, consistent persistence, continual self-evaluation, open-mindedness, emotional maturity, no fear of failure, and self-discipline. Attributes master music teachers' success to…

Results of a survey of planners at 133 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada are summarized. The study gathered information on (1) which problems tend to get solved, and which do not; (2) factors contributing to success in planning; and (3) planners' suggestions for improving the planning process. (MSE)

Discloses findings concerning school community members' perceptions about the tasks and role of effective schools, drawing on a 1990-91 study conducted in Melbourne, Australia. Participating principals, teachers, school council members, parents and students believe these tasks transcend the academic to include development of citizenship and…