Thinking Classroom / Peremena

Instructions for Reviewers

Thinking Classroom (also published in Russian as Peremena) is a quarterly journal Published by the RWCT International Consortium that explores the dramatic changes in teaching that come with critical reflection. TC/P provides an international forum of exchange where teachers, teacher educators, educational managers, and others concerned with educational change come together to promote democratic teaching practices, professional development, research, and reflection.

Founded in 2000 as a publication of the Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking project, Thinking Classroom/Peremena presents research-based instructional methods to teachers and teacher educators. These methods are designed to help students think reflectively, take ownership for their personal learning, understand the logic of arguments, listen attentively, debate confidently, and become independent lifelong learners. Articles will demonstrate how schools can contribute to the formation of open societies and democratic cultures by helping students create, question and apply knowledge responsibly. Educators can bridge cultural divides when they concentrate on classroom practice.

What is the reviewer's role?

Thinking Classroom/Peremena is a peer-reviewed journal, and each submission is assigned to three reviewers. The peer-review process is vital to maintaining the professional status of the journal and helps to ensure objectivity, lack of bias, and quality standards expected in International Reading Association publications.

Reviewers' contributions are critical to the success of Thinking Classroom/Peremena. Your manuscript reviews indicate the degree to which a submission attains its purpose. Your evaluation and commentary provide essential information for adjudicating a submission and for guiding authors toward successful revision and effective contribution to the field. Much of the merit of TC/P lies with your decision, your explanation of the judgment you make, and the suggestions you offer for improvement. Reviewers are not expected to correct grammar, check punctuation, or change sentence structure; staff editors work with authors on those matters. We are seeking people who can evaluate the content of a manuscript and provide insights on its potential usefulness to literacy educators. Keep in mind that TC/P articles span a broad range of topics from classroom tales to policy and research.

How does the review process work?

As a reviewer you will be asked to complete anonymous review of selected submissions to TC/P that match your identified areas of expertise and interest.

The review process takes place electronically; therefore it requires that you have access to the Internet through a standard Web browser and that you have an e-mail account. The process involves several steps:

• You will be contacted occasionally by e-mail by one of the editors, who will inform you that an article matching your interests and areas of expertise has been attached to the e mail and requires evaluation. Staff will ensure that no single reviewer is called on to review an unreasonable number of manuscripts, and every effort will be made to space out review assignments.
• The e-mail you receive will contain the URL of the online Reviewer Response Form to use when completing your evaluation.
• You will be asked to complete and return your review within two weeks. If you are unable to meet this deadline, you will be asked to inform the staff contact immediately, so that another reviewer can be assigned. If no such message is received from you asap, it will be assumed that you will complete your review within the two-week period.
• After you read the article and complete your evaluation, you will complete the Reviewer Response Form and submit it by the assigned deadline.
• Your review will be forwarded to the editors, who will rely on it to assist them in their decision-making process.

What is included on the Reviewer Response Form?

The response form is divided into three sections. Section 1 provides reviewers with the opportunity to prepare a written evaluation. Section 2 asks for numerical grading of elements such as content, style, and structure. Section 3 asks for an overall judgment and recommendation for acceptance, revision, and rejection.

How are decisions made concerning acceptance?

Your responses and those of the other reviewers of the submission are forwarded to the editors, who are responsible for accepting, rejecting, or recommending revisions to the author.

The responses you make in Section 1 of the Reviewer Response Form will be forwarded (with your name removed) to the manuscript's author, along with the editors' decision letter. It is therefore extremely useful to the author for your comments in this section to be as detailed as possible. No other parts of the form will be forwarded to the author.