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Principals (policy makers) have debated the progress in U.S. student performance for a half century or more. Informing these conversations, survey agents have administered seven million psychometrically linked tests in math and reading in 160 waves to national probability samples of selected cohorts born between 1954 and 2007. This study is the first to assess consistency of results by agency. We find results vary by agent, but consistent with Flynn effects, gains are larger in math than reading, except for the most recent period. Non-whites progress at a faster pace. Socio-economically disadvantaged white, black, and Hispanic students make greater progress when tested in elementary school, but that advantage attenuates and reverses itself as students age. We discuss potential moderators.

This paper studies the contribution of parental influence in accounting for cross-country gaps in human capital achievements. We argue that the cross-country variation in unobserved parental characteristics is at least as important as the one in commonly used observable proxies of parental socio-economic background. We infer this through an indirect empirical approach, based on the comparison of the school performance of second-generation immigrants. We document that, within the same host country or even the same school, students whose parents come from high-scoring countries in the PISA test do better than their peers with similar socioeconomic backgrounds. Differential selection into emigration does not explain this finding. The result is larger when parents have little education and have recently emigrated, suggesting the importance of country-specific cultural traits that parents progressively lose as they integrate in the new host country, rather than of an intergenerational transmission of education quality. Unobserved parental characteristics account for about 15% of the cross-country variance in test scores, roughly doubling the overall contribution of parental influence.

The digital revolution and automation are accelerating changes in the labour market and in workplace skills, changes that are further affected by fluctuations in international and regional economic cycles and employment opportunity. These factors pose a universal policy challenge for all advanced economies and governments. In the workplace, people seek to acquire contemporary and relevant skills to gain employment and retain transferable skills to maintain employment. The central purpose of this paper is to investigate how other nations or regions are dealing with these issues. What approaches are they taking to understanding the mix and dynamics of the skills attained by individuals and, more broadly, the totality of skills that in aggregate constitute a highly capable and adaptable labour force, one that supports firm viability and greater national productivity. This research has examined a range of initiatives and approaches being developed or in use in selected countries, including the United States, Singapore and New Zealand, and agencies/organisations; for example, the European Commission and the Skills for the Information Age Foundation. In doing so, it showcases the good practices used to ensure that occupational-level skills information remains current and widely accessible. [For "Identifying Work Skills: International Case Summaries. Support Document," see ED579875.]

The labour market is one the most significant markets in modern economies. Today labour embodies increasing amounts of human capital in the form of skills, talents and knowledge. Migration of workers between regions and countries can contribute to efficiency. People are moving from areas in which they are underemployed or unemployed to areas in which there is greater demand for their labour. Frequently the movement of people is across national or other administrative borders. Differences between jurisdictions in the way in which they recognise experience, skills and qualifications can subtract from the efficiency of the labour market. This paper outlines steps taken in the European Union (EU) to improve the mobility of skilled labour between EU countries. The interface between qualifications and the labour market is being addressed by the creation of extensive electronic networks providing workers with more information about potential jobs and employers with more meaningful information about potential applicants. Mobility of labour can be further enhanced by improving the portability of social security, health and pension benefits. The EU has also recognised that migrants are a substantial proportion of the EU workforce. In terms of mobility, they may be better placed than residents to take advantage of regional shifts in demand for labour, and impediments to their mobility between EU countries reduces the efficiency of the contribution they can make. The experience in both Australia and New Zealand recognises the economic benefits to be derived from geographic and jurisdictional labour mobility and especially of those aspects associated with the recognition of skills. It is different from the EU experience in two regards: (1) Cultural differences present in Europe are far less apparent in Australia and New Zealand; and (2) Registration in one jurisdiction was a basis for eligibility for registration in all jurisdictions. The Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA) and Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between the Australian Government and the governments of the eight Australian states and territories are cited as potential models for other countries considering a similar strategy. (Contains 7 footnotes.) [Partial funding for this paper was obtained from a grant from the Monash Institute for the Study of Global Movements.]

Set against the backdrop of increasing economic interdependence in East Asia, the idea of regional integration is now being discussed as a long-term political process in the region. As in the field of the international economy, de facto integration and interdependence exist with respect to the internationalization of the higher education system in East Asia. Based on the results of a comprehensive Japan International Cooperation Agency Research Institute (JICA-RI) survey of 300 leading higher education institutions active in cross-border higher education, located in ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member Southeast Asian countries and three Northeast Asian countries (China, Japan, and Korea), this paper examines universities perceptions of the degree of cross-border activities, the significance of their expected outcomes, and their regional preferences for partners. The objective is to envision a direction for a future regional higher education framework in East Asia and to consider the policy implications of the internationalization of higher education in East Asia in the context of regionalization. The findings related to the degree of cross-border activities suggest a current perception that there is more prominent in conventional than in innovative activities, but that innovation will rise considerably in the future. With respect to the significance of expected outcomes,academic and political expected outcome are perceived to be more significant than economic expected outcome, which are nevertheless expected to be more significant in the future. Finally, in terms of their preferred regions of partners, universities in East Asia overall place a high priority on building partnerships within their own region. Yet, among Northeast Asian universities, North America is perceived as the most active partner. (Contains 3 figures, 21 tables, and 13 footnotes.) [This paper was prepared as part of a Japan International Cooperation Agency Research Institute (JICA-RI) research project titled, "Cross-border Higher Education for Regional Integration and the Labor Market in East Asia."]

This paper aims to provide a picture of the occupations in the community services and health industry, and how the workforce obtains the required skills. The authors argue that planning for the industry should concentrate on occupations specific to the industry and those which require high skill levels. Findings suggest that the qualification levels of community services and health workers have increased substantially over the past decade. Furthermore, community services and health vocational education and training courses are well targeted, with most graduates finding employment in the industry. Appended are: (1) Employment within community services and health; (2) Mapping of ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) to ASCO (Australian Standard Classification of Occupations); (3) Employed persons by the level of qualification; (4) Change in qualifications, 1996 and 2006; (5) Top destination occupations; and (6) Top intended occupations. (Contains 25 tables, 1 figure, and 13 footnotes.) [Funding for this paper provided through the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.]

The place of women in the manual trades is examined in this paper, which sets out strategies for encouraging them to study and work in areas such as building and construction. Such strategies include introductory and pre-apprenticeships courses, clustering female students, and support from teachers in opening up job opportunities. This paper is the result of a 2008 NCVER New Researcher Award. (Contains 2 tables.)

The purpose of this study is to explore aspects and indicators most commonly used to assess the quality of education systems in different countries through the comparison of 12 national publications describing the state of the educational system. To compare indicators the CIPP model was chosen. This model is organized in four main parts: Context, Input, Process and Product. Each main part was then divided into categories based on the research literature (e.g., Input is divided into human, financial and material resources). Based on the CIPP model an electronic database for quality indicators comparison has been designed and implemented. This system is dynamic and easy to update. Using the database it is possible to compare countries according to several criteria (e.g., main parts and categories of the CIPP model, ISCED [International Standard Classification of Education] level, level of data collection). The database is available to the public and is designed for researchers and scholastic decision makers. A first comparison shows that processes at the classroom level are rarely considered, whereas public financial resources as well as achievement results are always included. The study concludes with a discussion of the findings of the comparison, as well as suggestions for future research aimed at further defining relevant indicators for the assessment of education quality." An appendix presents: "The on-line database: structure and functions. (Contains 5 figures and 7 footnotes.) [This paper was produced by INVALSI - National Institute for the Educational Evaluation of Instruction and Training.]

Data relating to occupations has been collected in the national apprentice and trainee collection since 1994. The coding used conforms to classifications endorsed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The latest version issued from the ABS is the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). The classification previous to ANZSCO is the second edition of the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO). Currently occupation data is collected using both ANZSCO and ASCO codes. Although ANZSCO was only introduced to the Apprentice and Trainee Collection in 2007, states and territories were asked to back-code ANZSCO on all contracts that were active as at 1 July 2000. Therefore while ASCO codes appear on records from the beginning of the collection, ANZSCO codes, only appear on records from 1 July 2000. Thus, although the database has a field for ANZSCO, the value is missing for all records prior to this date. This technical paper is a description of the methodology used to impute values for records in the National Apprentice and Trainee database that have missing ANZSCO codes. Appendices include: (1) Method (detailed); and (2) System charts. [For the accompanying report, "Apprentices and Trainees: September Quarter 2009," see ED508817.]

The reality of external academic/quality audit has arrived for all tertiary education providers in New Zealand under the umbrella of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. This paper reviews the development over the past decade of external quality assurance of tertiary providers by quality assurance authorities and their associated bodies. The methodology included a literature review of the key influences and features of external quality assurance in the tertiary sector and an examination of the impact of external quality assurance processes on the development and delivery of courses and qualifications offered by the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. The two main findings are that: (1) the development of external quality assurance of tertiary providers by quality assurance authorities and their associated bodies has been evolutionary and controversial; and (2) as a result of responding to the demands of external quality assurance, tertiary providers have experienced a significant increase in both their administrative workload and their compliance costs. Providers who have adopted a "life jacket" approach to external quality assurance have reaped the rewards of compliance, but those who have seen it as a strait jacket, are ceasing to exist. (Contains 23 references.) (SLD)

Growth in mixed-sector institutions offering both vocational and higher education qualifications is expected to increase given recent and predicted policy changes. This issues paper focuses on the provision and management of higher education in technical and further education (TAFE) institutes. Issues raised for discussion include the governance of mixed-sector institutions as well as ensuring access and maintaining progression to higher education without sectoral division in the institution. Implications arising from the Bradley review of higher education are canvassed and the authors are inviting discussion on a range of questions related to the nature of policies and practices influencing the provision of higher education in TAFE. A section listing the TAFE institutes that have been registered to offer higher education qualifications and their accredited higher education qualifications, at February 2009 is appended. (Contains 5 tables and 3 footnotes.) [Funding for this document was provided through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.]

This paper is concerned with the strategies being adopted for vocational education and training (VET) in Australia and the lessons that could be learned for them from policies in other countries. Six issues are considered in the paper, each relates to or more of the objectives and particular strategies in the Australia's National Strategy for Vocational Education and Training 2004-2010: (1) Workforce/adult training and retraining in the light of ageing and shifting occupational structures; (2) Equity issues for indigenous and other groups; (3) Managing demand and funding so that priorities are met; (4) Developments in qualification structures and quality assurance; (5) Enhancing provider capacity to ensure quality and responsiveness; and (6) Regional and community capacity building. The approach taken was to analyse national strategies, policies, objectives and priorities of government agencies to provide a point of comparison with Australia's National Strategy for VET. Analysis was most focused on the United Kingdom and New Zealand, and limited for Canada, due to the decentralised nature of that system. Implications for Australia are set out by strategy. (Contains 6 footnotes and 2 boxes.)

This project on national standards and accreditation of career practitioners is set against a background of unprecedented interest by governments nationally and internationally in the provision of career guidance services. Currently more is known about the policy and delivery of career guidance than at any other time in history. There is growing interest in the relationship between career guidance and public policy because the benefits of career guidance to individuals, society and the economy have been recognised. In this regard, strategic alliances are being formed between career guidance practitioners and policy makers in order that policy commitments relating to the provision of quality career services are enhanced. Such an alliance is evidenced in the collaboration between the Department of Education, Science and Training and the Career Industry Council of Australia on this project. This project constitutes a very necessary step in a move towards a quality industry. The purpose of this scoping paper is to: (1) identify current standards guiding career practitioners in Australia; (2) review international work on standards including examples of best practice and advise on how this work might be relevant to the development of national standards and accreditation in the Australian context; (3) be informed by outcomes of national workshops, forums, and conferences 2000-2004; (4) identify the current membership requirements of professional career associations and bodies both nationally and internationally; (5) assess how prior learning or qualifications might be recognised and developed to fit within and meet the requirements of the quality standards; and (6) identify the issues that need to be addressed in the development of national standards. To achieve this purpose, this paper is structured around four main sections--international quality standards, national quality standards, standards guiding Australian professions, and the Australian career industry. Following this a number of themes related to the development and implementation of quality standards will be elaborated. A number of issues relating to the development and implementation of quality standards and accreditation in the Australian career industry will then be raised. Appended are: (1) Glossary of terms; (2) Table of Comparative Competencies; (3) Entry-level Qualifications of Australian Career Practitioner Associations; (4) Standards of Australian Career Practitioner Associations; and (5) Comparison of Quality Standards Across Career Case Studies.

Within the context of the school finance literature, the concepts of equity and adequacy raise a number of complex definitional and pragmatic issues. The purpose of this paper is to clarify those issues and to use those concepts to evaluate the recent policy proposal called Weighted Student Funding (WSF). Though WSF contains some equity-enhancing elements, it is likely to fall short of its equity goals because the weights are likely to be inappropriate and the approach fails to take full account of the concentrations of challenging-to-educate students and their effects on the distribution of teachers. In addition, the WSF proposal can be faulted for paying no attention to adequacy, potentially stigmatizing individual students, and placing so much focus on individual schools. A more complete evaluation of WSF would require a broader institutional perspective that extends beyond the equity and adequacy considerations of this article. (Contains 8 footnotes.)

This project examined attitudes, expectations, and behaviors that make prostitutes successful in learning to establish their autonomy and work safely. Ethnographic studies were conducted of 47 prostitutes in Canada and 60 in New Zealand through semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and open-ended discussions supplemented by researchers' observations and participation in the culture of sex trade work. Women new to the streets and experienced women involved in various genres of sex work were surveyed as to how they came to acquire a working knowledge about safer sex practices and what specific practices resulted from that knowledge. Findings suggested that, in the course of their daily work, most prostitutes learn to deal with issues of intimacy, decision making, communication, negotiation, and assertiveness. Prostitute practices acquired outside of formal educational systems constituted an alternative body of educational knowledge that could efficiently use community resources to inform and teach about issues concerning safer sexual interactions. Staffed by workers who were in or formerly part of the sex industry, the New Zealand Prostitutes' Collective was the first cooperative effort between the government and sex workers to promote safer sex practices in the sex industry. Sex workers wanted to create an organization that would empower them and advance their political and legal cause. (Contains 27 references.) (YLB)

Since 1989, when it became legally possible for private higher education to operate in New Zealand, the sector has grown to become a significant part of the country's higher education system. We explore the private penetration, trace the changes that have occurred in private higher education, and evaluate the sector's position in New Zealand today. The private sector has had to find a niche for itself in a higher education sector dominated by a mature, well developed public sector. In so doing, New Zealand's private higher education exhibits differences and similarities with the private higher education internationally. Particular case study attention goes to the New Zealand case as one of private entry into a mature higher education system in an economically advanced country. Additional attention goes to the dissimilarities between the private sector and the more predominant public tertiary education institutions in New Zealand. It becomes apparent that the private sector has characteristics that make it quite different from that of the public sector in New Zealand. (Contains 10 tables and 19 notes.)

"Can You Hear Me? The Right of Young Children to Participate in Decisions Affecting Them" emphasises that participation enhances children's self-esteem and confidence, promotes their overall capacities, produces better outcomes, strengthens understanding of and commitment to democratic processes and protects children more effectively. Participation provides the opportunity for developing a sense of autonomy, independence, heightened social competence and resilience. The benefits are therefore significant, and adults with both direct and indirect responsibility for children need to acquire a greater humility in recognising that they have a great deal to learn from children. But the case for listening to young children goes beyond the beneficial outcomes. It is also a matter of social injustice and human rights. All people, however young, are entitled to be participants in their own lives, to influence what happens to them, to be involved in creating their own environments, to exercise choices and to have their views respected and valued. (Contains 4 footnotes.)

This report contains six papers presented at 1993 and 1995 seminars conducted by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research. It also includes the schedules of the two seminars and a summary of a general discussion on future directions in research in early childhood education and care conducted at the 1995 seminar. They include: (1) "Working with Children before They Start School: Some Findings from Swedish Early Childhood Centres" (Ingrid Pramling); (2) "Creating Learners Who Want To Know: An Action Research Project Following a College-Based Teaching Experience" (Anne Meade and Lynne Bruce); (3) "Meeting Their Needs: Educational/Training Implications of a Collaborative Study of Playcentre Children Aged Under 2 1/2 Years" (Valerie Podmore and Liz Depree); (4) "Fitting, Not Flitting: Schema Development Seen in Some Children in the Competent Children Project" (Anne Meade); (5) "Early Childhood Teacher Education: Findings from a Longitudinal Study" (Margery Renwick and Sally Boyd); and (6) "Families, Work, and Early Childhood Education: Experiencing Change and Diversity" (Valerie N. Podmore). Each paper contains a reference list. (MDM)

A study interviewed 37 Canadian sex workers in 4 cities to determine how they acquire a working knowledge of safer sex practices and what that knowledge constituted. Findings indicated the vast majority exhibited high levels of knowledge and efficacy regarding safer sex practices; sex workers took the initiative to obtain information and engage in safer sex practices; and peer group educators advanced educational messages in their community. Staffed by current or former sex workers, the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective (NZPC) was established as a government-endorsed organization using state funding, infrastructure, and support services for sex workers, clients, and the public. The Canadian government might profit from lessons learned from the successful NZPC to recruit sex workers as peer educators and should consider the possibility of developing a prostitute-centered pedagogy of safer sex practices that affirms the right of women to control the conditions of work and recognizes the skills and knowledge of that work. Providing sex workers with an opportunity to have input into public policy and design and delivery of prevention programs would be a useful way to transmit their skills and knowledge to other sectors of the community. Such knowledge could provide sexual self-determination that might result in greater knowledge, resistance, agency, and empowerment in other aspects of women's lives. (Contains 87 references and 30 endnotes.) (YLB)

This report summarizes issues facing New Zealand's modern adult literacy movement and places it in the context of the rapidly changing skill demands of the 21st century. Part I introduces political, economic, and social issues facing New Zealand. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the issues and structures that create the current climate. Part II provides a history of adult literacy in New Zealand. Chapter 2 defines literacy for the 21st century; identifies how literate New Zealanders are, and considers literacy needs by industry. Chapter 3 provides a brief history of New Zealand's literacy movement, describes emergence of workplace literacy, and discusses theoretical underpinnings Freirean and competency-based models. Chapter 4 addresses national leadership and provision of services. Four case studies are presented in a two-page profile with this basic information: type of program; cost; goal; types of services; work-related outcomes; number of students; student selection; structure; curriculum; learner profile; funding source; reason for literacy program; institutional profile; other factors that contribute to success; and student suggestions. A more detailed exploration follows of a series of questions on three themes: motivation, barriers, and benefits. Part III includes recommendations for a long-term, comprehensive, coordinated adult literacy strategy in Chapter 5, with implications for the United States in Chapter 6. Appendixes include the National Literacy Act: Public Law 102-73, and case study interview questions. (Contains 93 references, 7 tables, and 6 figures.) (YLB)

This publication contains 14 papers, most of which were written by instructors of higher education in Australia and Great Britain. Following an introduction, the first five papers are "The Development of Children's Map Ability" (Simon Catling), "Published Guidance to Pupils on Atlas Mapwork Skills" (Herbert Sandford), "Tactual Mapping and the Bold Atlas of Australia" (John Roberts), "Students' Ability to Transform Verbal and Visual Information" (Rod Gerber and Nea Stewart-Dore), "Children Talking to Learn," (Michael Williams). Using microcomputers in geography education is the subject of the sixth paper, "On Sitting Back and Letting It Happen: How to Be Unchained and Use Microcomputers in Geographical Education (Colin Davey). A case study in preservice teacher education is presented in paper number seven, "The Armidale Heritage Study: A Case Study in Applied Research in Pre-Service Teacher Education" (E.S. Elphick and Warren Halloway). The remaining papers are "Investigating the National Estate: Some Observations from an Implementation Study" (Colin Davey and Anthony Milne), and "Educational Materials and the Corporate Sector: Some Ideological Implications" (Jane Williamson), "Bias in Geography Textbooks" (John Fien), "Teaching Geography to Less-Able 11-14 Year Olds" (Graham Corney and Eleanor Rawling), "Attitudes and Approaches to Teaching Less Able Pupils in Year 8 Geography in Queensland" (John Fien, Rodney Gerber, and Peter Wilson), "Geography Methods Courses and Student Morale" (Anne Carter), and "Geography in the New Zealand Educational System and the Process of Curriculum Change" (Frances Slater). (LP)

Four papers to be used in conjunction with video-tapes developed by the Learning in Science Project are presented. Topic areas of the papers focus on: (1) animals; (2) electric current; (3) force; and (4) science activities. The first paper presents transcripts of class discussions focusing on the scientific meaning of the word animal. The second paper includes excerpts from three interviews where 11-year-old children were asked about their ideas regarding electric currents in a simple electrical circuit, summary of children's ideas about electrical currents, and a sample lesson taking into account their ideas. The third paper includes discussions of scientists'/children's ideas about force, excerpts from interviews with children on their ideas of force, and lessons designed to modify children's views of scientists' views. Presented in the fourth paper are: excerpts from interviews with children designed to provide insight into their views about what happens when a crystal is dissolved in water; an activity involving the dissolving of crystals in water (which makes unfounded assumptions about the ideas children bring with them to the lesson); and an alternative approach to the same lesson where an attempt is made to take the children's views into account. (JN)

This paper analyzes teaching and training in terms of certain basic functions and the typical contingencies that affect those functions in practice. Section 1 shows the interrelationships of teaching, training, and learning. Section 2 explores the kinds of learning problems that the independent learner faces and how a planned course can help to alleviate them. Seven functions of courses are identified: selection, induction, structure, teaching, environment, materials, and assessment. Section 3 discusses how each function is affected by seven main variables or contingencies: rationale, regulations, resources, subject, students, staff, and setting. Section 4 describes the nine functions of teaching and training: motivation, orientation, demonstration, explanation, representation, activation, transmission, evaluation, and support. Section 5 discusses the nine contingencies that affect the functions of teaching and training: aims, content, level, self, student, group, physical context, institutional context, and social context. The final section explores briefly the implications of the contingent approach first for student learning, then for the training of teachers and trainers, and finally for research in these fields. Appendixes include examples of case material and articles on contingency in the management of organizations, the teaching and training of adults, and continuing learning in the workplace as well as 48 reference notes. (YLB)

The Learning in Science Project (Primary)--LISP(P)--was designed to examine problems and difficulties in primary science and to explore ways of overcoming these problems. Early research led to a proposal that children's questions and explanations could form the basis of an alternative teaching approach. However, several issues were raised which led to the need to reconsider the proposed teaching approach. Following a brief discussion of these issues this paper: (1) considers how any teaching approach is developed from a particular view of learning; (2) analyzes what a teaching model should include to be internally consistent; (3) discusses features of a generative model designed to help children develop ways of exploring and viewing the world around them (reconsidering the set of learning experiences; identifying the roles of learners, teachers, and students in the learning process; and examining the criteria to be used in the approach); (4) examines several constraints related to the proposed instructional approach; (5) outlines a framework for teaching sequences (consisting of exploration, investigation, and reflection phases); (6) discusses the content of science in the primary school; and (7) offers suggestions to encourage teachers to adopt new ways of teaching. (JN)

Perceptions of 152 sets of parents of handicapped young children were investigated. Interviews were conducted focusing on five aspects: initial notification that they had a handicapped child; parents' need for support; views on their guidance needs in helping children develop; and preferences for school settings for their children. Parents' responses to each topic are summarized and charted according to five variables: type of handicap, residence (Hamilton, Waikato, or Auckland, New Zealand), age of child, socioeconomic status, and family size. Among major findings were that over half the parents were told about their child's problem within the first week, mostly by obstetricians and pediatricians; parents expressed the greatest need for information; and parents clearly preferred integrated school placements. (CL)

An early intervention program for 14 Down's syndrome children (4 to 15 months old) and their parents included individualized guidance for parents in teaching their infant. Home activities centered on tasks to develop attention: cognitive, perceptual, motor, and language skills. Emphasis was placed on a structured teaching approach with developmental assessments leading to prescribed teaching activities. Task analysis was an important focus. Analysis of scores on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development indicated that Ss scored higher in mental development than infants exposed to little or no intervention and comparably to children in intensive intervention. In motor development, Ss scored significantly better than those receiving no intervention and scored at the top of the range for those who were. (CL)

Two booklets were developed by the Learning in Science Project (Primary)--LISP(P)--to help teachers adopt an approach to primary science teaching which would enhance children's understanding of floating and sinking. Both booklets were designed to enable teachers to reconceptualize their teaching task from activity-driven, didactic teaching to conceptual-change teaching. The first booklet was written for more confident teachers, using a less-structured approach, and the second for teachers who might prefer detailed guidance. Each booklet was evaluated during six 25-45 minute lessons over a 2-week period to determine the extent to which the authors of the booklets were able to convey their intentions to the teachers and to gain an idea of the problems encountered by teachers during the lessons. Data were obtained from student interviews and from a comparison of suggested strategies in the booklets and actual classroom practices. Findings (reported and discussed separately for each booklet) show that actions of the teachers matched the authors' intentions in some respects but departed from them in others and that use of the guide was influenced by the teachers' views of teaching and of how children learn. Implications of these and other findings for teaching science and for developing teaching guides are included. (JN)

The Learning in Science Project (Primary)--LISP(P)--investigated the ideas and interests children have about hot and cold. Data were obtained from 25 children (12 boys and 13 girls), ages 8 to 11, using the "interview-about-instances" (IAI) procedure. Areas investigated included: (1) the meanings of the words "hot,""cold,""colder,""hotter," and "temperatures"; (2) temperature change when water volumes are changed or mixed (both qualitatively and quantitatively); (3) the temperature of ice in relationship to volume of ice and melting; (4) temperature measurement (using the hands and a thermometer); and (5) the process of heating and cooling. Results are presented, analyzed, and discussed in separate sections representing each of these areas. Findings indicate that children's intuitive ideas about temperature and temperature change of objects and events within their normal experience seemed fairly sound, that their subjective knowledge may influence what they actually "observe," and that their understanding of quantitative temperature did not match their understanding of qualitative temperature. In addition, children generally believed there was no difference between heat and temperature and that the greater the volume, the greater the amount of heat (or cold). These results are consistent with the findings reported in other research studies (IAI cards are included in an appendix.) (JN)

The Learning in Science Project has adopted the view that science teaching might be improved if teachers can be given some appreciation of students' views of the world and the beliefs, expectations, and language that learners bring to new learning situations. This investigation focuses on the views that children (N=34) may have about rocks and minerals. Information was obtained from interview protocols, word responses, and sorting tasks to examine ways in which: (1) children and adolescents view and describe rock/mineral samples and how they relate these ideas to rock/mineral origins and composition; (2) learners tend to categorize rocks/minerals; and (3) learners respond to key stimulus-words that are considered by earth scientists to be important in the study of rock/mineral samples. Results of the investigation indicate that the children focused on different attributes than those of earth scientists. In addition, their approach to developing categories for rock/mineral samples was in stark contrast to the approach likely to be taken by earth scientists (such as using appearance, origin, weight, and composition to categorize samples as either "rocks" or "not rocks"). (A discussion of earth scientists' views of rocks, minerals, crystals, and classification of the 15 samples used in the study is included.) (JN)

The Learning in Science Project has adopted the view that science teaching might be improved if teachers can be given some appreciation of students' views of the world and the beliefs, expectations, and language that learners bring to new learning situations. This investigation looks at the topic of soil, one of the basic resources of New Zealand economy. Areas examined include the nature, sources, age, and depth of soils, and changes which soils undergo. Data were collected from individual interviews (N=40) and from a questionnaire administered to 221 students. Findings (including interview transcripts) indicate a conflict between the views of soil seen through the eyes of children and adolescents when contrasted with views of soil scientists. Although there was general agreement in interviews/survey on the question of soil depth, several differences of a virtually bi-polar nature were noted for other areas (soils formed via environmental factors versus soils always there or dynamic versus static soils). These results indicate that the more important ideas concerning soils should involve a focus on the nature/origin of the age of soils, and the idea that soils are changing with time. (Supporting documentation, including survey instrument is provided in appendices.) (JN)

The Learning in Science Project has adopted the view that science teaching might be improved if teachers can be given some appreciation of students' views of the world and the beliefs, expectations, and language that learners bring to new learning situations. This investigation compares and contrasts views that children and scientists have on landforms, particularly on two New Zealand mountains (Mounts Egmont and Cook). Individual interviews were conducted with 37 students during which they observed colored photographs of various, well-known New Zealand landforms and described what they saw. Questioning was then directed toward eliciting their ideas concerning processes behind the appearances of the two mountains. Sample responses are presented related to such questions as: What is a mountain? Is Mount Egmont a volcano? When did Mount Egmont appear? How do volcanoes develop? What is a range? How did Mount Cook develop? Responses indicate that children/adolescents hold views about the two mountains which are likely to be different from scientifically accepted ideas. For example, approximately 63 percent were not aware that Mount Egmont has the potential to erupt again. In addition, the majority of students had not attained an appreciation of plate tectonics, even at an elementary level of understanding. (JN)