A large-scale study of the extent of parent involvement on boards in preschool day care indicates that intensity of involvement, rather than the number of parents involved, is the key factor. The impact of parent involvement on staff and classroom environment also is examined. (MS)

The history and utility of category observation instruments are briefly traced; category observation instruments are defined and their essential properties stated; and a sequential strategy for their construction is discussed. (MM)

Explores the extent to which the promise of lay control of education has been fulfilled in free schools and in doing so points to some conditions that affect school governance which have been ignored for the most part by students of educational politics. (Author/RK)

Paper presents an analysis of a ritual ceremony among staff of a public elementary school which takes the form of "secret-pal" gift exchanging. Study indicates that although such rituals do not resolve causes of conflict or eliminate competitive and hostile attitudes, they do serve to reduce anxiety and conflict. (RW)

Study concludes that linguistic deprivation, defined as differences between language or dialect spoken in the home and that of the school, influences success in school. As long as language proficiency determines success, culturally different groups will have difficulty advancing socially and economically. (RW)

Can evaluation of teachers by students be effective? The author, who reviewed much of the research on the subject, describes the findings, points out similarities and differences, and concludes that student evaluations may serve as a valuable adjunct to improving instruction. (Editor)

Three experiments (n=300) were conducted to investigate college student reactions to classroom fairness issues. In two experiments, student ratings of fairness were affected by manipulations of procedural fairness and grade outcome. Effects of procedural fairness were stronger than grade. In the third experiment, ratings of professors were…

Examines the effects of goal setting and feedback applied to teacher behavior as a means of producing desired changes in students' behavior during consultation. Results indicate that the intervention was effective at increasing appropriate student behavior and was judged by the teacher to be acceptable. Implications of results are discussed. (RJM)

Investigates current beliefs and practices of elementary and secondary teachers regarding using writing to teach mathematics. Finds that teachers indicated strong belief in the benefits of using writing to teach mathematics, yet actually used writing activities less than once a week. Notes reasons by which these instructional decisions are…

Ten suggestions for new college faculty include provide clear instructional goals and a rationale, treat students fairly, allow each an opportunity to talk daily, bring the real world in, use one-to-one conferencing when needed, invite students into the evaluation process, model positive behavior, set reasonable standards, grow professionally, and…

Examines how conformity to gender or gender expectations can affect evaluation. Finds that women who write either traditional or non-traditional perspectives generally receive the same grade, but a non-traditional perspective is more likely to receive criticism. Finds also that the same is true of men but to a lesser degree. (TB)

Effective professional development is a faculty-directed process that encourages modification of behaviors based on critical self-reflection and evaluation of one's assumptions and beliefs about targeted development areas (such as teaching, curriculum, or school environment). This article presents a comprehensive faculty-development model that…

Explains how an English teacher settled into an unproductive, formulaic approach to teaching writing and how he reformed himself and his teaching through a discovery of the processes involved in writing. Describes exercises and notebooks that furthered his new "process" approach to teaching writing. (TB)

Presents an example of art education as a means of social control. Examines a 1905 incident wherein children at South Park School in Victoria (British Columbia) were found to have ruled lines in their freehand drawing books. The school principal, Agnes Deans Cameron, was dismissed. (PAL)