Steven J. Rakow

Minority Students in Science: Perspectives from the 1981-1982 National Assessment in Science.

Minority students achieve less well in science, have less exposure to it, but have more positive attitudes toward science. There is a negative relationship between science-related experience and attitudes toward science.

Involving Classroom Teachers in the Assessment of Preservice Intern Portfolios.

Abstract Portfolios are becoming a popular method for assessing the professional development of preservice teaching interns. At the University of Houston-Clear Lake, preservice interns are required to develop a portfolio to demonstrate their proficiency in each of seven standard areas which form the basis for our program. These seven standards are closely aligned with state and national recommendations for teacher preparation. Interns compile their portfolios under the guidance of university faculty and mentor teachers at schools to which they have been assigned. A unique feature of this approach to portfolio assessment is that these mentor classroom teachers are involved in the assessment of the portfolios using a set of structured analytical rubrics. A training program has been developed and implemented which provides the mentor team of public school teachers with an understanding of the rubrics and practice developing inter-rater reliability by scoring sample portfolio entries. The use of a team assess...

The Status of Hispanic American Students in Science: Attitudes

This study examined attitudes towards science among Hispanic American students in schools that participated in the National Assessment of Educational Progress over the past three testing periods. Examining four areas of attitudes with three age levels-elementary, junior high, and senior high schoolthe results for Hispanic students were compared with attitudes toward science of white and black students of the same age levels. Results indicated variations in attitude among ethnic minority students, both males and females, toward science classes, science teachers, careers in science, and the value of science. Interesting changes were observed over the testing periods, with minority students showing continual increase in positive attitudes. Attitudes toward science can be expected to influence course and career choice, yet other explanations for barriers facing minority students must be considered when attitudes cannot be identified as a primary factor preventing participation in science.

A Review of Teacher Inservice in Environmental Education: 1970–1980

Abstract The 1970s witnessed a tremendous national concern about the environment. As might be expected, this concern was translated to schools in the form of environmental education and the need to have teachers qualified to teach this topic. This paper reviews the published studies from the 1970s (indexed in ERIC Document Retrieval Service) dealing with teacher inservice in environmental education. A wide variety of formats and audiences were addressed by these inservice opportunities. Unfortunately, few studies made any attempt to test the effectiveness of their programs. Thus, it is difficult to recommend a particular format for future inservice efforts.