Analyzing Postcrisis Challenges and Strategies Associated With School Shootings: An Application of Discourse of Renewal Theory

In recent years, the need to understand and identify effective data-driven strategies for the communication challenges faced by schools associated with school shootings has become paramount. The current study reports findings from 10 face-to-face interviews conducted with school crisis team members at the P–12 level who experienced school shooting events. The findings, which extend discourse of renewal theory, identify six primary communication-related challenges that districts face postcrisis and offer effective strategies for overcoming these challenges.     

Factors contributing to success in mathematical estimation in preservice teachers: Types of problems and previous mathematical experience

Variables that may affect success in mathematical estimation in preservice elementary teachers were studied. A multiple regression analysis was performed in order to predict success on a 25 problem estimation test. Subjects' answer to the question, “Are you good at math?” was the best predictor of success on the estimation test. Other important variables were college grade point average, years of study of mathematics, and enjoyment of mathematics. Not only were average mathematics grades not related to estimation score, but they were negatively correlated to estimation score. Half the subjects saw problems in an applied format, and half saw the same problems in a computational format. The number of subjects answering problems correctly in the application format was significantly greater than the number of subjects answering questions correctly in the computational format. This result was contradictory to results usually found for finding exact answers with pencil and paper. A reason for greater success on problems in the application format may be related to the fact that the applied problems involved money, a very relevant type of problem in which to quickly estimate an answer.     

Race and sex differences and similarities in the process of college entry

This study evaluates the process of college entry for race and sex groups as predicted by an elaboration of the Blau and Duncan (1967) status attainment model. Four important observations were derived from the study. First, sex differences among blacks, which have not been previously examined, were less pronounced than sex differences among, whites. Secondly, race effects were more influential than sex in affecting the process of college entry. Thirdly, for all groups the effects of race, sex, family status origin (SES) and standardized test performance on college attendance were substantially mediated by school process variables (e.g., high school rank and curriculum), by significant others influences, and by student educational expectations. Fourthly, the net effects of structural background variables (e.g., SES and standardized test performance) on college attendance were much stronger for blacks (particularly for black males) than for whites.This research was supported by the Russell Sage Foundation and the National Institute of Education. The author wishes to thank the reviewers and the following persons for their invaluable advice contributed to this document: James McPartland, Karl Alexander, Bruce Eckland, Walter Allen, Edward McDill, and Richard Cramer.     

Conceptual change research and science education practice: a response from educators

We discuss the eight papers in this issue of Cultural Studies of Science Education focusing on the debate over conceptual change in science education and explore the issues that have emerged for us as we consider how conceptual change research relates to our practice as science educators. In presenting our interpretations of this research, we consider the role of participants in the research process and contextual factors in conducting research on science conceptions, and draw implications for the teaching of science.

Relationship between ability-paired interactions and the development of fifth graders' concepts of balance

This study describes the effects of ability-paired student interactions on achievement as fifth graders (10-year-olds) worked on laboratory activities relating to balance. Achievement gains were assessed (n = 83) by analysis of pretest–posttest differences on the lever concept test. Audio recordings and field notes (n = 30) were analyzed for the following laboratory behaviors: number of words spoken, tinkering, block moving, turns speaking, incidence of helping and distracting behavior. Results revealed that: (1) low-ability student achievement is greater when students are paired with high-ability partners; (2) low-ability students speak more words, exhibit less distracting behavior, and move blocks on the lever less when they are paired with a partner of high ability; (3) high-ability students speak more words, take more turns speaking, and exhibit more helping behaviors when they are paired with low-ability students rather than with other high ability students; and (4) there are no achievement differences for high-ability students regardless of the ability level of their partner. These findings suggest that heterogeneous grouping of students in science can be beneficial to low-ability students partnered with high-ability students, without being detrimental to the high-ability partners.     

Beyond the Rainbow: Retrieval Practice Leads to Better Spelling than does Rainbow Writing

In three experiments, we compared the effectiveness of rainbow writing and retrieval practice, two common methods of spelling instruction. In experiment 1 (n?=?14), second graders completed 2 days of spelling practice, followed by spelling tests 1 day and 5 weeks later. A repeated measures analysis of variance demonstrated that spelling accuracy for words trained with retrieval practice was higher than for words trained with rainbow writing on both tests (η _p ² ?=?.49). In experiments 2 (second graders, n?=?16) and 3 (first graders, n?=?12), students completed 2 days of spelling practice followed by a spelling test 1 day later. Results replicated experiment 1; spelling accuracy was higher for words trained with retrieval practice compared with rainbow writing (η _p ² ?=?.42 and .64, respectively). Furthermore, students endorsed both liking and learning from retrieval practice at least as much as (and sometimes more than) rainbow writing. Results demonstrate that retrieval practice is a more useful (and as engaging) training method than is rainbow writing and extend the well-established testing effect to beginning spellers.     

Moving Technical Communication into the Post-Industrial Age: Advice from 1910

This article examines advice from a century ago that anticipates current calls to relocate the value of technical communication. Chemist Ellen Swallow Richards coined euthenics, the science of controllable environment, and then discussed communication technologies to teach scientific principles to the public. She emphasized women's pivotal role as audience and communicator, helping us understand how to enact the practices of symbolic analysis that give value to our work.