This national study of 1858 teachers participating in professional development(PD) summer programs in the United States encompasses a wide range of science subjects and grades. It was conducted to identify program features associated with increases in two types of teacher knowledge that are goals for most professional development programs: teacher…

Since rural Canada contributes about one-third of the national economy and significantly to culture, we argue it deserves greater attention in public policy, beginning with policy education. A scan of 22 Canadian Masters of Public Policy (MPP) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs reveals a marked absence of policy training focused on…

We present results from a meta-analysis of 95 experimental and quasi-experimental pre-K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professional development and curriculum programs, seeking to understand what content, activities, and formats relate to stronger student outcomes. Across rigorously conducted studies, we found an…

In 2000 several STEM faculty at Bethel College in Kansas designed and began offering a one-week intensive residential summer research experience for high school students--the Bethel College Summer Science Institute. The core idea underlying the design was to motivate students through the excitement of discovery. This event has been offered…

As numerous studies from 1906 on have confirmed, children lose ground in learning if they lack opportunities for building skills over the summer. Nonetheless, summer learning loss comes up but rarely in the national discussion of education reform. By the end of summer, students perform on average one month behind where they left off in the spring.…

Previews the 1980 National Day Camp Symposium and discusses influences of the 1980s on day camps. Also discusses precamp planning, the camp season, and postcamp activities. Available from: Center for Environmental, Camping and Outdoor Education; University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Pine Lake Field Campus; 4016 Blumenthal Road; Greensboro,…

Identifies the general principles underlying the Council of Writing Program Administrators' summer workshop, and the ways in which they are currently being applied. (HTH)

About 50 students from six Boston area high schools participated in the summer Massachusetts Pre-College Engineering Program (MassPep) at the Northeastern University campus in Boston. The program is designed to guide talented minority students toward college and technical fields. A description of the program is provided. (JN)

At the end of each school year, Community Consolidated School District No. 146 in Tinley Park (Illinois) gives one-fourth of the district teachers and all of the district administrators 15 to 18 consecutive days of inservice training. Financial commitment, high quality, and stipends contribute to the program's success. (Author/WD)

A description is given of the goals and the activities of a residential summer experience at the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC). The program was designed for at-risk high school students. Cognitive and affective needs were addressed within a framework of outdoor environmental studies. Evaluation findings are reported. (IAH)

Describes a summer technical writing course that incorporated the use of an "electronic textbook," a computer disk filled with examples of technical writing. Evaluates the class for the electronic textbook's viability, ratio of lecture to lab time, amount of information presented, student learning of the writing process, and student motivation.…

A combination of drills, quizzes, journal writing, and creative class activities was used in a summer program designed to develop the vocabulary of gifted students. (RL)

Describes a one-week summer law course that taught 15 gifted students (grades four through eight) about the U.S. court structure, the sources of law, juvenile law and how it differs from laws governing adults, the Fourth Amendment, the relationship between students and schools, and gifted education and the law. (CR)

Describes the Early English Composition Assessment Program of the Ohio Writing Project and the Ohio Board of Regents at Miami University. The project brings together high school English teachers who collaboratively grade papers and discuss the assessment process. Contains sample papers ranked by consensus. (SKC)

Describes a summer remedial reading program for first-grade students. Includes discussions of the activities and strategies used to promote comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary development. (FL)