This study was designed to compare midlife male graduate students with midlife female, early adulthood male, and early adulthood female graduate students in terms of their motivations for returning to higher education and their academic self-concept as returning students. Data were gathered, using Boshiers's Education Participation Scale (1995) and Drummond's Academic Self-Concept Scale (1984), from graduate students at a comprehensive, urban, southeastern, public university of approximately 10,000 students. The 426 graduate student participants were enrolled in three colleges (Business, Education, and Health) at the university. Multivariate analysis of variance (MAN"OVA), univariate analysis of variance, and multiple comparison tests results indicate significant motivational and academic selfconcept differences. Midlife males' mean scores were significantly lower in the motivation category of Professional Advancement than the other three age/gender groups. Midlife males' and females' academic self-concept mean scores were significantly higher than early adulthood females in the category of Extraversion, and higher than early adulthood males in the category of Academic Skills. These findings may be useful in educational recruitment and curriculum programming. Implications for practice and recommendations for research are provided.

This paper addresses the problem of the minimal presence of activity-based science in the intermediate grades. The author presents a project integrating a hands-on science curriculum. Students at the fourth-grade level were given demonstrations and activities in the area of science. Discussions, written assignments, readings, listening activities, and reports were correlated with hands-on activities in the development of an integrated curriculum. This qualitative study lasted the school year and was evaluated by use of the teacher's ongoing journal and student-submitted evaluations of the curriculum at the close of the study. The author found the project produced positive results in stimulating discussion, critical thinking, and student involvement. The author concludes that such a curriculum is beneficial because it elevates an often neglected, yet stimulating, curriculum and integrates it into the language arts curriculum which occupies a great deal of student/teacher time and effort.

This study was conducted in response to the growing need for an alternative to traditional assessment instruments in schools. Standardized tests no longer adequately measure a student's knowledge. Curriculum and teaching methods continue to change, and educators are demanding an assessment method which reflects not only what, but how, a student learns. In response to America 2000, a national plan for school improvement, several states have already adopted more "authentic" methods of assessment, portfolio evaluation being one of the more common. The Florida Department of Education is currently considering various alternative assessment methods, and the implementation of a state portfolio program seems imminent. This project was designed to help those educators who are unfamiliar with the concept of portfolio assessment to implement a successful program. First, on the basis of a thorough review of the literature, concerns associated with portfolio assessment were identified. Then, specific strategies for addressing these issues were recommended, in order to offer a design for a manageable portfolio program.

Included is a skills development curriculum unit for secondary English students which encourages the use of non-sexist language with creativity within the content area. The study contains lists of objectives, writing, reading and group activities, an attitude survey for students and an evaluation checklist for teachers. Classroom discussions, films, fairy tales and skills development exercises are used to help students recognize and find alternatives to sexist language. The rationale for the teaching of non-sexist language is based on the theory that how we speak stems from how we think, and visa-versa. If sexism in reading and writing is identified and avoided, stereotypical attitudes would be less likely to occur. The study's intent is to challenge teachers and students to employ non-sexist language so that its usage becomes more familiar and acceptable in every day life.

The intent of this project was to research and analyze the changes in college mathematics curricula and to establish the need for a change in the current college-preparatory mathematics program. The research indicates that colleges are emphasizing computer applications, statistics, and discrete mathematics.

This study was designed to determine what factors sixth grade teachers from selected sixth grade centers identified as the reasons for the variations between academic achievement, or teacher assigned grades, and standardized test scores for sixth grade students. Thirty-two teachers participated in a questionnaire survey that was specifically designed, through the use of research, for this study. The questionnaire was divided into four main categories. The categories were: Home Related Problems, Socio-economic Status, Child Related Problems, and Teacher Related Problems. The teachers ranked the factors in degrees from five to one. The ranked numbers were totaled -and averaged. The teachers' responses identified Parent Attitude as the leading factor of Home Related Problems. Social Class was chosen as the factor from the Socio-economic Status. Self-confidence was the leading cause of Child Related Problems. Teacher Attitudes ranked the highest reason from the Teacher Related Problems.

The behaviors of effective teachers compared to the behaviors indicated on the observation instrument of the Beginning Teacher Program were investigated. Effective teaching behaviors were drawn from professional literature. The results indicate that effective teaching includes competence, performance, and continuing teacher education. The teacher's role as a professional rather than a technician was supported in the literature. The results indicate that effective teachers universally practice the effective behaviors listed in the Beginning Teacher Program which are based on scientific knowledge. The recommendation is that more research should be done in teacher effectiveness and evaluation.

The purpose of this project was to compile activities and information that will be useful to educators in teaching about Native American tribes. These activities attempt to emphasize the multicultural aspects of Native tribes, as well as, teaching accurate historical data, and stressing the contributions and similarities of Native American cultures to mainstream society. In addition, this project utilizes the Indian Awareness Inventory found in Bulletin No. 84, Teaching About Native Americans (1990) from the National Council for the Social Studies. This inventory is intended for use with the student studying Native American history and culture and will create criteria for teaching students of all cultures about Native Americans.

One purpose of this paper was to determine the teaching strategies and opinions of parents who home-school their children in Florida and south Georgia. Another purpose was to define the typical day of the children involved, and elicit their opinions and feelings about home-schooling. A multiple choice questionnaire was designed for the parents with twenty-six items, and a nine-item questionnaire was designed for the children. The findings of the study showed that children can receive a quality education in places other than schools, and the majority of parents involved in this study are well educated and concerned. The children spend typical days in an environment which is flexible, loving, and supportive. Their achievement on standardized testing indicates the high quality of education they are receiving. As a result of this study, school boards are encouraged to cooperate with the families and to offer resources to them as needed. Universities are also encouraged to support the home-schooling movement, and to conduct further research on learning in the home.

The purpose of this project was to research and develop a robotics curriculum appropriate to junior high school students. Specifically, this project developed a two-week, ten-hour robotic curriculum to introduce eighth-grade students to basic robotic concepts. After a careful examination of the related literature and after an evaluation of current trends in robotic education, objectives were developed. The objectives integrated content from industrial arts, science, college-level courses on robotics, and very basic concepts used in elementary schools as an introduction to robotics. Lessons were developed which used a multisensory approach and activities emphasized hands on experiences for students. Conclusions which were drawn after a review of related literature, development of the curriculum, and pilot testing are included along with recommendations for possible improvement and expansion of this project. The importance of keeping pace with developing technologies is stressed throughout the curriculum which was developed.