This occasional paper is intended as a practical guide to teachers in further and higher education who are involved in continuing professional development (CPD) and wish to use a strategy of participative workshops. Section I is a brief explanation summarizing the educational justification for the learner-centered approach to CPD. In Section II…

Improving the quality of out-of-school time activities and creating effective learning environments is of keen interest to practitioners, funders and policymakers. Funded by The William Penn Foundation, "Quality Time After School" identifies characteristics of after-school activities that are linked to youth engagement and learning…

DeLand Middle School (Florida) abolished an interscholastic sports program and instituted a grade-level intramural program that is all inclusive, emphasizes development of physical skills and fitness, and provides enjoyable experiences to all students. (MLF)

The purpose of this paper is to provide information to practitioners who are establishing and implementing volunteer programs on their campuses. First, the historical and contemporary roots of civic participation by students in American higher education is explored in three historical phases: (1) higher education as preparing an elite group of men…

SerVermont is a volunteer program for high school students. The program stresses public service in the community and is intended to teach students the value of personal volunteer service to their local communities. During SerVermont's first year of operation, 11 high schools were awarded minigrants to be used in developing programs in which…

Answers 20 frequently asked questions regarding implementation of elementary school foreign language immersion programs, including consideration of program goals, staffing, total versus partial immersion, student participation, effects on other programs and learning, and parent involvement. (CB)

This paper describes present learning environments for students with mild disabilities, especially instructional practices that thwart student motivation for learning. The Foxfire experiential approach to learning is then outlined, through discussion of 11 core practices that promote student involvement in instructional decision making and the…

SerVermont is a volunteer program for high school students. The program stresses public service in the community and is intended to teach students the value of personal volunteer service to their local communities. During SerVermont's second year of operation, 15 high schools were awarded minigrants ($200 if one teacher was involved, $300 if more…

An Iowa high school's experience with producing a biennial statewide foreign language fair is described. The objectives have been to have students enjoy using their second languages, especially with people to whom they have never spoken before, and to enliven the winter months. Every language teacher and student, as well as others on the staff,…

Reprints a series of "how-to" guidelines concerning service learning from the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago (CFRC). Includes a working definition of service learning, a five-step process for projects, and specific goals to be reached at each stage of the project. (MJP)

A New York State school district employed a management company to privatize the food-service program with the goal of enticing all students to eat lunch. Expertise in marketing, menu planning, and food-service operation turned the program around. Suggests questions to ask when selecting a management company. (MLF)

This paper points out that one way to infuse self-determination skill training into a comprehensive transition program is to teach students with disabilities to direct and manage their own Individualized Education Program. The transition policy of the Academic School District in Colorado Springs (Colorado) is presented as a model. (JDD)

Learning Skills Services, a federally funded student support service program, is responsible for learning disability assessment and provision of a continuum of services at Sonoma State University in Northern California. In response to the perceived lack of assessment and procedures standards for identifying learning-disabled students at the state…

A class council can collectively decide what components will make up the instructional system in an elementary school class. A class council is a friendly assembly made up of the students and the teacher; it meets to discuss and make decisions about all aspects of the instructional system, including objectives, grading, and materials. Each student…

This packet provides information on New Century College, a program within George Mason University (Virginia) based on an integrated integration model of interdisciplinary course work, experiential learning, and service learning within learning communities. The program is organized into three "divisions" and requires 12 hours of…