The law requires that juvenile justice facilities must provide education to all school-age students, and these facilities often do so despite challenges that would baffle most high school administrators and teachers. This "Adolescent Literacy Guide" provides guidance to both administrators and teachers who want to increase opportunities…

Helping children experience early learning success and acquire essential skills by third grade is a crucial part of any school reform effort. Yet, many teachers and children are overwhelmed by the ineffective curriculum-driven education system and the "rush to cover" climate in schools. "Fanatically Formative" shows how you can rediscover the joy…

The purpose of the present article is to review the contextual conditions that lead teachers to be more controlling rather than autonomy supportive with their students. Research indicates that the more teachers perceive that school administration thwarts their autonomy by imposing pressures on them, the less autonomous they are in their motivation…

The purpose of this "Adolescent Literacy Walk-Through for Principals" ("ALWP") is to help principals monitor and support adolescent literacy instruction in their schools more effectively. To meet the goals of improving adolescent literacy in grades four through twelve, principals must be familiar with what literacy instruction…

School connectedness is the belief held by students that the adults and peers in their school care about their learning as well as about them as individuals. Students who feel connected to school are more likely to have a number of positive health and academic outcomes. This fact sheet answers questions about school connectedness and identifies…

For students to achieve, they must be respected in their schools and visible in their curricula. A curriculum that respects and incorporates culture helps students develop the ability to make reflective personal and public decisions. The curriculum should be conceptual and interdisciplinary and should be based on higher levels of knowledge. Its…

Describes the implementation of an elementary school writing program that motivates students by allowing them to write about their own interests and by encouraging them to comment on each other's works. (PGD)

Describes a special American Studies program that combines literature and history to teach American history. (MD)

Outlines a summer computer program for high school students that provides extra time and experience on computers and familiarizes students with skills needed for the Scholastic Aptitude Test. (MD)

Like educators around the country, staff in juvenile justice facilities recognize the serious academic challenges that many of their students face because of low levels of literacy achievement. This "Adolescent Literacy Guide" provides guidance to administrators and teachers who want to increase opportunities for students in juvenile…

Outlines the importance of testing in the Mastery Learning process. Points out that as students demonstrate mastery, the amount of paperwork lessens for teachers. (MD)

This article explores what it takes to develop systemic strategies and structures that engage youth as coconstructors of their learning environment and experience. It looks at efforts nationwide to engage young people in educational change endeavors, draws on lessons learned from a national high school reform initiative, and addresses some…

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), Incorporated, has distributed over 57 million books in its 18 years. RIF programs have raised children's interest in reading and their levels of reading achievement, and have increased library use and parent involvement. The national RIF organization offers several forms of support for local programs. (PGD)

The "Great Brain" project motivates elementary school students to participate in educational projects by encouraging inquiry, interaction, and identity. Students use research and creative skills to study and report on a topic, interact with parents and peers in developing and presenting the report, and receive wide recognition for their efforts.…

Once a month, fifth-grade students in an Indianapolis, Indiana, classroom can use tickets earned through good behavior and academic achievement to purchase donated items and baked goods. Students are in charge of organizing the activity, keeping track of student "earnings," and managing a student "bank." (PGD)