This study examined parent and teacher attitudes toward developmentally appropriate instructional practice compared to traditional skill-based instruction in the classroom. The study surveyed parents and teachers of kindergarten, first, and second grade students in Marin County, California. The results of the surveys showed that most parents and…

A theory of thematic curriculum emerged during the development of a thematic unit on pets, entitled "Pets and Me." The unit, intended for preschool through grade five, focuses on the human-animal bond, incorporating language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, art, and music activities. "Pets and Me" was developed,…

This study examined New Zealand kindergarten teachers' perceptions or implicit theories of their role in children's learning, the nature of their curriculum, and how they perceived children as learners. Twelve head teachers of urban kindergartens were interviewed on the basis of Carr and Kemmis' (1983) seven categories of teacher knowledge: (1)…

Two populations of undergraduate students (preservice elementary education majors and noneducation majors) were compared with respect to their attitudes toward learning in the content areas of history, literature, mathematics, reading, and science. The study attempted to answer the following questions: (1) To what extent are preservice elementary…

A study was conducted to assess the perceptions of extension directors, administrators, and staff development personnel regarding the importance of selected training topics and to determine the extent to which these topics are included in current training programs for extension personnel. A descriptive survey using a five-point Likert-type scale…

This study reports the results of confidential, in-depth interviews with 29 business, education, and community leaders in California to determine their attitudes toward the higher education needs of the state. The interviews examined areas of consensus and controversy in many facets of higher education policy. The most important findings included:…

This study was designed to identify barriers that local Head Start staff believe limit their ability to provide quality services, the extent to which staff believe programs experience these barriers, and the techniques or approaches programs have used to overcome these barriers. It also sought to determine how Head Start programs use Quality…

This paper examines the interactions of a group of women of color in a graduate seminar, focusing on what they had to say about barriers and supports for women of color in higher education. Using critical race feminism as a theoretical framework, the paper focuses on the experiences of a professor and 10 graduate students who participated in a…

This study applied need theories to understand leadership motivation in college and university presidencies. Eight presidents from colleges and universities in a midwestern and a southeastern state were interviewed. The participants had been in their present position for at least three years. Included were two leaders from research universities,…

This study examined the issues and pressures that new and junior faculty of color experienced at predominantly white colleges and universities, and includes recommendations for administrators, graduate students, majority faculty, and faculty of color. Twelve African American and 19 Latino first-, second-, and third-year tenure-track faculty…

This paper examines the kinds of persons that engineering education produces, focusing on cultural identities related to gender issues. It is based on survey questionnaires, interviews, and observations of 274 first-year and fourth-year engineering students at a state university known for its concern about the education of women engineers. The…

This case study examined student perspectives in regard to a Web-based distance education graduate course in language education at a major university in the United States. Data were obtained from the six students enrolled in the course through observation by the instructor, interviews, and review of course documents and assignments. Four of the…

This paper compares the response rates of university graduates on the following three formats of a questionnaire: (1) a two-page questionnaire that is to be returned with an accompanying self-addressed stamped envelope; (2) a format using smaller type and condensed format to present the questionnaire items on a single page that is to be returned…

This paper advances 22 ideas for reducing the conflict between teaching and research demands of faculty at public research universities, based on suggestions generated by an ad hoc group of professors at the University of Iowa. Departments should try to make teaching as documentable as research, make teaching accomplishments as…

In spring 1991, Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) administered a community survey to residents of its service region--Charlottesville and the surrounding counties. The purpose of the survey was to determine how much citizens knew about PVCC and its services; how satisfied they were with these services; and what additional services they…