This report describes a program for improving scientific literacy at the primary level. The target population consisted of pre-kindergarten and second grade students in an expanding suburban Midwestern community. An intervention which included the identification of scientific skills and their integration into the curriculum, student exposure to…

An action research study examined the use of an extensive experiential assignment to introduce preservice elementary teachers to the field of special education. The study documents the use of 58 students' experiences in a difficult learning situation and investigates the transference of this learning experience to course content on individualizing…

This report describes a program to improve student reading achievement of the targeted first, second, and third grade classes in two west central Illinois schools. More than half of each schools' population was identified as low-income. Evidence for the existence of reading problems included student surveys, oral reading rubrics, phonemic…

A study examined the effect of a structured writing process on student comprehension during a year-long classroom writing workshop. Subjects included 10 sixth-grade students of average reading and writing comprehension who completed an initial writing survey as well as quarterly writing behavior self assessments and writing evaluation conference…

A program for improving student attitudes and achievement in art was developed and implemented. Targeted population consisted of eighth-grade students (n=28) in a junior high school in a suburban community near a large Midwestern city. The problem of poor attitudes and disinterest in art was documented with student surveys and self assessments, a…

By the early 1960s, organization development had emerged largely from the applied behavioral sciences and had three major stems: the invention of the T-group and innovations in the application of laboratory training insights to complex organizations; the invention of survey feedback technology; and the emergence of action research. (Author/RC)

The feminist movement has influenced women to have their scholarship about themselves used to redefine established research methodologies and previous research findings. Women's studies are opening new fields of study regarding male-female relationships, traditional societal roles, and male and female behavior patterns. (Author/HLM)

Presents a bibliographical review of research on undergraduate science education that involves a broad evaluation of the literature that defines the field. Discusses definitions of science education. Contains 306 references. (DDR)

Argues that an educational perspective is required for examining how second language acquisition (SLA) can contribute to language pedagogy (LP). Different models of application are considered, reflecting different ways of viewing teaching. It is suggested that SLA constitutes a source of "provisional specifications" that practitioners can evaluate…

One small, rural high school used cooperative professional development (CPD) as a means of group investigation to promote school renewal. CPD involves teaching, identifying, studying, and reporting on an issue of importance to teachers and their school. This paper describes how the school implemented and used CPD, examining lessons learned.…

Presents a response to Gifford-Smith and Brownell's "Childhood Peer Relationships: Social Acceptance, Friendships, and Peer Networks" (this issue). Suggests that an ecological/developmental perspective of the development of peer relationships, the contextualization of knowledge, and the utilization of action research as essential to the future of…

Describes preliminary findings of an action research project undertaken by teachers in Setubal, Portugal, who are exploring ways to introduce English as a first foreign language into the Portuguese primary school curriculum. (three references) (CK)

Describes a "Culture and Foreign Language" action research project that consisted of two years teaching experience with Finnish uppersecondary school pupils. (21 references) (CK)

An Ohio high school staff's action-research project examined effects of a recently implemented block-scheduling arrangement on student achievement, behavior, and student-teacher relations. Results support other research: students earned higher grade point averages, more students attained the honor roll, disciplinary referrals were reduced,…

Describes how preservice teachers perceive their role and the practice of mathematics teaching during their teacher education. Data was drawn from a study on elementary school teacher preparation at a state institution. Contains 22 references. (DDR)