Beliefs about Genes and Environment as Determinants of Behavioral Characteristics

This study investigates beliefs about the determinants of suchbehavioral characteristics as intelligence, athleticism, obesity,and alcoholism by asking respondents to the 2004 General SocialSurvey to rate vignettes describing individuals exhibiting thesecharacteristics along a 21-point scale ranging from completegenetic determination to complete environmental determination.The vignettes systematically varied the social desirabilityof the characteristic as well as the race and gender of theperson exhibiting it. We analyzed the effect of the carefullycounterbalanced vignette characteristics and the correspondingrater characteristics on respondents’ ratings of the vignettes,hypothesizing that these ratings would reflect mechanisms ofclaiming credit for desirable characteristics and avoiding blamefor undesirable ones. Contrary to our expectations, we foundno effect of any of the vignette characteristics on the ratings,and only two significant main effects of respondent demographiccharacteristics: Black respondents were more likely to use geneticratings; and better educated respondents, environmental ones. Received for publication October 26, 2006. Accepted for publication April 23, 2007.     

Exploring a Model of Situated Professional Development: Impact on Classroom Practice

A hallmark of current science education reform involves teaching through inquiry. However, the widespread use of inquiry-based instruction in many classrooms has not occurred (Roehrig and Luft in Int J Sci Educ 26:3–24, 2004; Schneider et al. in J Res Sci Teach 42:283–312, 2005). The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a professional development program on middle school science teachers’ ability to enact inquiry-based pedagogical practices. Data were generated through evaluation of teacher practice using the Reformed Teaching Observation Protocol (RTOP) (Sawada et al. in School Sci Math 102:245–253, 2002) at three distinct junctures, before, during, and after the professional development treatment. Analysis of teacher-participant post-institute reflections was then utilized to determine the perceived role of the various institute components. Statistical significant changes in RTOP scores indicated that the teachers were able to successfully transfer the enactment of the inquiry-based practices into their classrooms. The subsequent discussion provides connection between these pedagogical changes with use of professional development strategies that provide a situated learning environment.     

Toward a Multilevel Framework to Examine the Underrepresentation of Racial Minorities in Golf Within the United States

In the current U.S. economy, leaders in the golf business are increasingly concerned with the long-term growth potential for the game, particularly at the recreational level. Adding to that concern is the underrepresentation of Blacks and Hispanics who participate in golf at a time when the latter group is demonstrating exponential growth in the U.S. population. This article examines those and other factors that are contributing to the declining trend in golf participation by using a three-level analytic framework. Specific examples of factors at each level are discussed along with strategies for research and practice.     

Changes in teacher salaries during the 1970s: The role of school district demographics

This paper analyzes changes in the teacher salary schedules of Michigan school districts between 1970 and 1980. We find that starting salaries, expressed in 1970 dollars, decreased by an average of 20% over the decade. Real maximum salaries decreased by 15%. The between-district variability of starting salaries increased markedly over the decade, making the average starting salary a much poorer estimate of the starting salary a particular teacher earned in 1980 than was the case in 1970. The between-district variability of maximum salaries did not increase over the decade. Student enrollment changes were a significant predictor of the changes in maximum salaries. Districts that experienced the greatest percentage losses in students tended to experience the greatest declines in real maximum salaries. Student enrollment changes were also related to changes in starting salaries, but the relationship was more complex.