Toddler children and their parents were observed in their homes using an observation checklist. Parent behaviors were categorized as positive, negative, or neutral, and parental reactions to specific child behaviors were examined to determine if the sex of the child or the actual behavior influenced the type of parental reaction. (Author/JMB)

A successful project at the University of South Carolina uses faculty as problem-solvers through peer observation. It causes faculty members to examine critically both teaching styles and teaching effectivene ss, and the project is cost-effective. (LBH)

A model for team planning, instruction, and evaluation is presented, utilizing peer observation and analysis of instructional effectiveness, with suggestions for reducing the anxiety of teachers being observed. (MJB)

Studied with the 10-year-old sister of a 9-year-old girl diagnosed as autistic, and the 11- and 12-year-old brothers of a 9-year-old boy diagnosed as severely neurologically impaired was the effectiveness of siblings as behavior change agents for their behaviorally disturbed brothers and sisters, and the ability of parents to be reliable observers…

To fully develop their diagnostic skills, medical students must recognize the limited reliability of the observations on which diagnoses are based. Study of 36 second-year students shows multiple sources of observer variation in readings of systolic and diastolic blood pressures. (LBH)

The Student Behavior Analysis System is a simple, reliable instrument for evaluating student behaviors and providing feedback to teachers on the efficiency and quality of their instructional strategies. (MB)

This study analyzed the social interaction sequences and behavioral components of social interaction in two toddler playgroups across a 7-month period. Playgroup number 1 was composed of 6 male toddlers aged 1 year and playgroup number 2 was composed of 6 male toddlers aged 16 months. (JMB)

Provides a twofold plan for staff development and peer evaluation linking evaluation and training of teachers. This process enables teachers to have their professional needs met while treating them as individuals and improving classroom skills. Includes a classroom observation checklist and a teacher evaluation system form. (MD)

Abstracts the International Reading Association's outstanding dissertation, a study examining narrative accounts in the day-to-day conversations of five- to seven-year olds with their friends, the range of narrative forms they produce, and the social and interactional functions served by such narratives. (SR)

Research on protocol materials (PMs) for teacher preparation is discussed. PMs are audio, visual, and/or written records of some important classroom- and school-related events accompanied by theoretical knowledge that illuminates the event. Incorporation of PMs into teacher education needs to be researched further. (TJH)

Describes and illustrates how to make and use portable, lightweight tree stands for use as nature observation platforms. Offers conservation and safety precautions. (NEC)

In the past few years, many school districts have initiated teacher induction programs that pair veteran teachers with novices. This article describes a program and discusses how teachers develop collegial relationships. (MT)

Six preservice physical education teachers were studied to discover what observatiotn and perceptual processes were used during an early field experience. Results revealed that subjects made observations about students' movement responses, students' movement characteristics, and organizational tasks and patterns. (Author/CB)

Students' expectations (obtained on the first day) and the violation of these expectations are two possible factors that affect course evaluations. Their effects on students' final interest and future intentions are compared with students' actual reports of the class given at the end of the semester. (Author/MLW)

Two recent books that confront the questions and assumptions of traditional and new paradigms for studying education are discussed: "Organizational Theory and Inquiry: The Paradigm Revolution" (Yvonna Lincoln, editor) and "Naturalistic Inquiry" (Y. Lincoln and Egon Guba). (MSE)