A comparison was made of the verbal praise and criticism behaviors of teachers instructing in different types of classrooms. Fifty-seven teachers were observed in their various seventh and eighth grade classrooms: (1) nonhandicapped, small class size (5-15 students); (2) nonhandicapped, large class size (20 or more students); (3) special (students…

Wait time, or the pauses between questions and responses, has been demonstrated to be an important factor influencing classroom learning. This paper reviews the key variables that have emerged in wait time research over the past 20 years. Progress in defining and measuring wait time has resulted in improved methodology for wait time research.…

This two-part report discusses the implementation of the four-day week on college campuses and summarizes the results of a survey conducted to investigate: (1) the history of the four-day college week in Texas; (2) how Texas colleges using this system integrate their operations into the four-day week; and (3) the future acceptance of the four-day…

VARIOUS ASPECTS OF A NEW YORK CITY COMMUNITY ZONING PLAN (CZP) ARE EVALUATED IN THIS REPORT. INITIATED IN 1964, THE PLAN WAS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE ETHNIC BALANCE IN THE SCHOOLS BY PAIRING SELECTED ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TO CREATE SINGLE ATTENDANCE ZONES. STUDENTS IN THE LOWER GRADES ATTENDED ONE SCHOOL WHILE THOSE IN THE UPPER GRADES ATTENDED THE…

The report examines the professional competencies needed by postsecondary and secondary school agricultural education instructors. A questionnaire covering 11 functions, 39 tasks, and 89 competencies was administered by mail to the 435 vocational agriculture instructors in Wisconsin, of Whom nearly two-thirds of the secondary school and…

This book contains nine chapters, by various authors, containing research and policy perspectives on issues of mutual obligation between teachers and students, especially in Australia. The following are included: (1) "Researching Literacy, Language, and Numeracy and Mutual Obligation: An Introduction to Some Issues" (Sheilagh Kelly and…

Reviews research demonstrating a positive relationship between children's quality interactions with teachers and their enhanced cognitive, socio-emotional, and language development. Discusses most frequently studied aspects of teacher behavior including roles, sensitivity/detachment, involvement and teacher talk. Describes influences on…

Discusses the need to polish the foreign language skills of second-language teachers during their professional training. This training should concentrate primarily on the improvement of confidence in spontaneous target language use and grammatical accuracy and should also emphasize pedagogical development and reflection. (one reference) (CK)

Reactions of 30 bilingual teachers and 20 administrators to implementation of Proposition 227 match those of educators throughout California. Teachers worry about the erosion of primary language programs, the imposition of English-only standardized testing, and the lack of clear leadership on policy implementation. Administrator concerns include…

Describes a class project that combines Native American culture, art skills, and cooperative learning. The project involves assigned readings on the history and purpose of the totem pole. Students are then given a set of visuals and work in small groups constructing their own totem poles. (MJP)

Noting that more democratic values have begun to replace authoritarian values in the classroom, this book offers teachers three different discipline styles and provides guidance in classroom management, discipline strategy, and flexible problem solving. Chapter 1 of the book addresses general discipline and provides debate on utilizing democratic…

This study examined the issue of gender equity among middle school students. Literature of the past 20 years was reviewed, showing that bias in schools still exists. The purposes of the study were to determine if changes in attitudes and behaviors have occurred as a result of gender equitable treatment and to ascertain if exposure to inequitable…

This manual offers practical guidelines, based on the work of K. P. Cross (1988) and T. A. Angelo (1991), on implementing a Classroom Assessment Training Project (CATP) at a high school or college. The manual contains information on planning, budgeting, training, and content. The Cross/Angelo Classroom Assessment Model relies on quick, anonymous…

A guide to help instructors improve or review their questioning skills is presented, with a focus on devising appropriate questions and interpersonal skills that maximize student responses. Questions that entail knowledge, comprehension, and simple application levels are distinguished from questions requiring complex application (e.g., analysis…

Assembled from perceptual data gathered from questionnaires, this report outlines teachers' and administrators' opinions based on their first year's experience teaching handwriting (the Beginner's Alphabet) to first grade children using a new syllabus. Nine supporting tables are included and response statistics are detailed (Appendix 1 contains…