Improving Science Education: The Contribution of Research

Despite the surge in science education research since the 1970s, the editors raise the questions of why such research has impacted practice so slightly and what consensus there is, if any, about theoretical frameworks, terminology, or areas considered worthwhile. International contributors confront these issues in 18 selections on the themes of researching teaching and learning in science, reviewing the role and purpose of science in the curriculum, and researching science education. One clue is that the education literature disproportionately focuses on language and math. Millar (science education, U. of York) formerly taught science at Edinburgh schools. Distributed in the US by Taylor & Francis. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)