Extends earlier studies that surveyed educators about their use of and reaction to classroom literacy portfolios. Finds that a growing number of professionals are actually using portfolios. Finds also that educators agree that portfolios should be used for assessment purposes in the language arts and to help place individual students in special…

Outlines some of the issues and problems inherent in the group dynamics in the English classroom. Considers how English teachers are part of the group in a classroom and, therefore, are subject to the same predictable anxieties and are reliant on similar coping behaviors. (HB)

Four educators respond to the article in this issue which suggests that statistical data do not support a link between student achievement and staff development. The responses revisit the research used in the original article, suggesting that the link exists and discussing how future research could be improved. (SM)

Examined preservice teachers' ability to use component-specific feedback to positively influence elementary students' performance on overhead throw. Researchers developed an instrument to record teachers' verbal behaviors concurrent with student performance. Analysis of videotapes indicated teachers had content knowledge but limited ability to…

Questions whether current social studies curriculum units and learning activities contribute to the goals of citizenship education. Contends that student attitudes about citizenship are seldom affected by typical social studies instruction. Asserts that teachers must understand and accept larger educational goals and develop classroom activities…

Reports on a study of 5,000 student evaluations of teachers (SETs) and their relationship to the final grades the students received in introductory economics classes. Finds that there is little relationship between the rating of instructors and the grades received by students in their classes. Recommends that colleges and universities explore…

Asserts that debriefing is the missing link between learning achievement and simulations in social studies. Maintains that teachers who employ computer-assisted instruction must utilize effective debriefing activities. Provides a four-step debriefing model using the computer simulation, Oregon Trail. (CFR)

As part of Alberta's Educational Quality Indicators initiative, Spirit River School Division used staff, parent, and student input to develop indicators of effective teaching: 26 teacher behaviors related to planning and preparation, communication skills, teacher-student relationship, and instructional strategies. The indicators provided a basis…

Argues for a reworked pedagogy in the networked computer classroom to counteract the emergence of prejudicial attitudes which marginalize people in online discussions. Encourages interventionist strategies such as centralizing discussion and giving preparatory lectures. Proposes that instructors should be more accountable for confronting and…

Relates the author's experiences teaching remedial reading in a Texas high school, where the state-mandated exit-level competency test heavily influences teaching. Discusses negative effects on students and on teachers. Describes how the author's teaching evolved from an emphasis on this basic skills test to a focus on engaging students in…

Reports on a study that presented rehearsal excerpts demonstrating the presence or absence of specific teaching attributes, asked subjects to evaluate them in each category, and compared subjects' ratings with data demonstrating the presence or absence of those attributes. Presents results based on the evaluation of 10 categories of student and…

Describes a university instructor's "exhilarating and exhausting" experiences teaching English in China. Notes that the instructor felt simultaneously like a precious resource and an abused one; and that the opinions he espoused in China were taken to be not only his opinions but also those of most Americans. (RS)

Reports on the views and attitudes of secondary science teachers (n=27) toward lesson planning. Describes teacher decisions, the things they take into account, what they ascribe the most importance to, time spent, the source of their knowledge, and how they evaluate the results. Contains 46 references. (Author/WRM)

A study used the College Student Experiences Questionnaire database to examine whether a "chilly classroom climate" exists for women students in higher education, and if so, whether faculty behavior contributes to this environment. Results show female students were not experiencing this climate, and reported college experiences and gains…

Reviews the research in choral music education from 1983 to 1995 in order to detect trends in the field, significant clusters of interest on specific topics, the decline of interest in previously popular topics, or the emergence of new areas of interest. Provides extensive references. (CMK)