Rodney L. Doran

Science laboratory skills among grade 9 students in Western Australia

A science laboratory practical skills test based on an optional instrument for the Second International Science Study was administered to a sample of Australian grade 9 students. The data were used to gauge the level of overall practical performance, as well as to identify specific errors and misconceptions. The gender differences commonly found in science achievement were absent when practical performance was used as the criterion. Correlates of practical skill performance were found to include the amount of homework and television viewing, the home environment and emphasis on personalization, investigation and organization within the classroom environment.

Replication of a path analysis model of secondary physics enrollments: 20 years later

The percentage of enrollment in physics (PEP) at the secondary level in the United States has been approximately 20% for the past few decades. In an attempt to isolate variables related to physics enrollment. Bryant (1977) conducted a path analysis model of secondary physics enrollment in New York State. This present study is a replication and extension of the study conducted by Bryant. Current data were used to verify the Bryant model and construct models with data available since Bryants work. Data gathered by the New York State Education Department for the 1990–1991 school year were used. The source of this data included surveys completed by teachers and administrators on student characteristics and school facilities. A data analysis similar to Bryants was conducted to determine whether the relationships between a set of predictor variables and physics enrollment had changed in the past 20 years. The findings indicate that there has been no change in the set of variables related to physics enrollment.

Work Values Contrasts at the Associate and Baccalaureate Student Levels in the Medical Laboratory Sciences.

The work values patterns of female and male students at the two- and four-year levels of an allied health profession have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to examine these patterns in students at the associate and baccalaureate levels of the clinical laboratory sciences occupational area. Responses from 320 students on Supers Work Values Inven tory led to the conclusion that the two-year students placed greater emphasis on extrinsic values related to work outcomes. Additionally, male students (who are the minority sex in this discipline) maintained a more masculine work values profile stressing independence and management in comparison with female respondents. Therefore, a students educational level or sex has an impact on his/her work orientation. These differences in work values were demonstrable despite commonality in career choice. The significance of these findings is discussed.

Science and Special Education A Science Education Perspective

This paper is organized into two major parts: a review of current activities in science education, and a review of the articles within this special issue. Project 2061 (aaas) and the scope, sequence, and coordination project (nsta) are ongoing efforts to develop new approaches for school science programs. Other reports and journals in the science education field are described briefly. “Constructivism” and “alternative assessment” are two of the ideas science educators are currently exploring as ways to improve science teaching and learning. The last section includes brief reviews of each of the other papers in this issue with special focus on the science education dimension. There is much we can learn from each other.