The Big Lift™ (Big Lift) is a preschool-third-grade collective impact initiative in San Mateo County, California. The initiative is a partnership of the County of San Mateo, San Mateo County Office of Education, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Launched in 2012, the initiative aims to boost children's reading proficiency by third grade…

The Science and Engineering Education (SEE) Directorate of the National Science Foundation was eliminated in 1981, but has been refunded in 1985. The current plans for developing elementary and middle school science and mathematics programs are outlined. (MD)

In this issue, I provide information about an ongoing activity at the National Academies that will be of direct interest to biologists who are working to improve education in the life sciences. I also describe a recently published report and a forthcoming report on the Academies' efforts to help the nation develop a coherent strategy for improving…

Americans have concluded that the achievement gap is the fault of "failing schools" because it makes no common sense that it could be otherwise. After all, how much money a family has, or a child's skin color, should not influence how well that child learns to read. If teachers know how to teach and if schools permit no distractions,…

Explains the rationale, program specifics and initiatives for the preparation and development of staff, curriculum, instructional support, and research for science education in the United States. Includes total program cost for each. (RT)

Since 1983 the Migrant Education Program Evaluation (MEPE) has collected data about migrant children in summer programs throughout the state of Illinois. Testing is done during the summer months with migrant students in grades 3, 5, and 7. Preliminary screening identifies students who are limited-English speakers, and they are excluded from…

Provides a thorough overview of the origins, objectives, and implementation of nature study in elementary education in England. Tracks the activities and efforts of the School Nature Study Union (established 1903). Although influential in London, the Union never established a national presence and ended operations in 1994. (MJP)

Presents a concise overview of the summer youth recreation programs and facilities in Russia. Lack of funding represents a problem as does the decline of trade union support. Some private entrepreneurial camps have turned their facilities over to the government. Includes brief descriptions of types of programs and the number of youth served. (MJP)

This publication contains brief descriptions of National Institutes of Health programs for underrepresented minorities, including fellowships, programs for high school students, graduate research assistantships, postdoctoral training, and programs for college students. The publication provides a description of each program, eligibility…

The adjunct model of language instruction is described as it has been implemented at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). In this model, freshman English and English-as-a-second-language (ESL) courses are linked with content area courses to better integrate the reading, writing, and study skills required for academic success at the…

Describes a summer research program that stresses follow-up on activities, and presentation of data at symposia and lectures. Provides information on participants, activities, student evaluations of the experience, and benefits. (RT)

Provides information on a program that seeks to increase the nation's supply of engineers and scientists by providing experiences with hands-on research. Describes activities, positive outcomes, and the evaluation of achievements. Concludes that participants and faculty members benefited from the experience. (RT)

Describes a research program that has active areas of research ranging from hydrology, water chemistry, geology, gene cloning, satellite image analysis and remote sensing, and molecular biology. Provides information on selection procedures, design of program, benefits, and names of participants. (RT)

Described is a summer workshop for college and high school educators designed to raise the level of expertise of the participants and to raise their awareness of physiology and medical opportunities for their students. The objectives, organization, schedule, content, credit, financial considerations, and evaluation of the program are discussed.…

Discusses the chemistry component of a five-week summer program for talented high school juniors and seniors at the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences. Describes the chemistry core, lab component, team projects, and program results. (CW)