Angela Chapman and Allan Feldman (2016) conducted a study that aimed to exam how a group of diverse urban high school students were affected by the participation in a contextually based authentic science experience. The analysis of all data led the authors to conclude that the experience of authentic science positively influenced the science…

Current approaches to mental health in school tend to overemphasize individually prescribed treatment to the detriment of prevention programs. Moreover, they are implemented as another fragmented set of interventions, and this contributes to the continuing marginalization of student and learning supports. Finally, when the focus is on individuals'…

Across the United States, many school districts are investing large sums of money to install interactive whiteboards (IWBs) in classrooms. For example, the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) aims to become a "digital district" by installing IWBs into 5,000 classrooms over the next two years. This particular implementation of…

This commentary describes an action research project conducted by selected staff at the Northern Valley Regional High School District in New Jersey. The project focused on the idea of developing a synchronous classroom to provide world language learning opportunities to students. Relevant research is provided as are ideas regarding logistics and…

Discusses the relationship between research and social and political policies, and proposes three major topics which need systematic and in-depth study: cultural and linguistic differences among children that impact their school experiences, the effectiveness of programs/interventions with children with exceptionalities, and long-term consequences…

"Theory as Method: Small Theories of Treatments," by Mark W. Lipsey, is one of the most influential and highly cited articles to appear in "New Directions for Evaluation." It articulated an approach in which methods for studying causation depend, in large part, on what is known about the theory underlying the program. Lipsey discussed the benefits…

This paper (1) summarizes some of the recent research and evaluation of drug and other substance abuse programs, and (2) directs attention to the work of Federal agencies (NIDA and ADAMHA) concerned with drug and substance abuse, with special reference to the impact of this work on the alleviation of minority group drug abuse problems. Evidence is…

This address first briefly reviews what children are expected to know and be able to do when they reach adulthood and considers the critical developmental tasks which they must engage in and go through to meet such expectations. Then, consideration is given to the institutions of social networks in which development occurs as they operated in the…

This guide provides suggestions for research concerning the successes and failures of Future Homemakers of America, as part of an effort to strengthen the overall program. The research suggestions are directed primarily to teacher educators and their students, but also to others interested in research projects concerning Future Homemakers of…

This book explores why past efforts to reform the human services system have had marginal impact in improving the quality of life for children and families, and offers new directions for future social service reform. Chapter 1 examines the sociopolitical antecedents of service integration that have emerged from the uniquely democratic experience…

The leaders of major national civil rights organizations give their views on the state of civil rights today and the priorities they consider most important. (Author/MJL)

Collected are four conference speeches which in various ways attack the developmental perspective that views genetics as a source of stability and environment as a source of change. Dr. Bonnie E. Litowitz's discussion of "Context and Continuity: Changing Perspectives on Children" explores differences among development, learning, and…

Discusses the need for evaluating the efficiency of early childhood education programs. Presents a model of educational productivity that specifies nine chief factors which require optimization to increase affective, behavioral, and cognitive learning. (Author/RWB)

In an interview, J. McVicker Hunt discusses the role of children's interactions with their environments in raising intelligence, the general effects of Head Start, and the role of mothers in affecting their children's intelligence. (MH)

In this article, the author observes how a combination of interrelated elements are currently changing the face of the civilizing traditions of the U.S. education and forming a new culture of childhood. These include: (1) the standardization of education; (2) the dissolution of traditional spontaneous play; and (3) the growing specter of poverty…