A decentralized teacher-coaching model has been adopted by several Los Angeles-area school districts through an initiative called Design for Excellence Linking Teaching and Achievement (DELTA). DELTA encourages coaches and beginning teachers to develop a personalized support plan, and stresses one-on-one relationships and support, not evaluation.…

In a Long Island school district, foreign-language study is part of every elementary school student's curriculum in grades 2 through 5. More than 90 percent of sixth-graders choose to study a language and have the chance to participate in 7-year and advanced-placement programs in these languages. (MLH)

Describes the development of the Watch, Discover, Think, and Act asthma self-management computer program for inner-city children with asthma. The intervention focuses on teaching two categories of behaviors: asthma specific behaviors such as taking preventive medication, and self-regulatory processes such as monitoring symptoms and solving asthma…

Describes a New Mexico high school's method of handling advanced-placement courses in a 2X4 block schedule that raises passing rates, compensates for loss of contact time, and gives most students opportunities to take desired AP courses. AP electives demand prerequisites and are scheduled only during spring semester. (MLH)

Provides an overview of practical methods and tools for assessment planning and implementation for service learning and civic engagement projects conducted by colleges and universities. Offers suggestions to help readers design their own program assessment plans. (SLD)

Describes the success of an Indiana school district in implementing a major technology initiative. Presents 12 strategies for implementing such an initiative, usable as a framework for schools about to invest in technology (or for those with stalled or dysfunctional programs) and applicable to programs of varying size and scope. (SR)

Discusses innovative information services, including new services and the redesign of existing services. Describes the development process, including assessing the market and developing a marketing plan; and explains the implementation process, including monitoring client satisfaction and quality control. (LRW)

Presents the concept of instructional program coherence and explains why school improvement frameworks that incorporate instructional program coherence are more likely to advance student achievement than multiple unrelated efforts. Presents some evidence that Chicago, Illinois, elementary schools with stronger instructional program coherence make…

Explores why learning communities have become so pervasive in higher education and the challenges faced by the learning communities movement, including challenges of student learning and faculty development, diversity, institutional change, and purpose. (EV)

Discusses Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) that converts existing telephone lines into digital circuits which transmit data at 256Kbps to 7 Mbps. Describes ADSL, unique features of "Megabit Services" and initial deployment, costs, and impact on library services (extra bandwidth for Internet services, multimedia or other…

"Principal for a Day" is a program that provides students with an opportunity to work alongside the principal. Easily implemented, the program can encourage participation in school events and activities and help recognize and reward students. Ways to structure the day and involve the media are outlined. (MLH)

Approaches the issue of international business education from a hands-on, action-oriented immersion approach: the study abroad program. Examines the specifics of developing and implementing such a program, as well as pitfalls to avoid. (EV)

The three articles of this special section illustrate the complexity of HIV risk behaviors and demonstrate the need to go beyond simply assessing drug use and sexual behavior. They support a more comprehensive view of risk that challenges intervention design and current methodology. (SLD)

Veteran first-grade teacher describes her 2-year inclusion experience with three special-education students. Offers other teachers suggestions for planning and implementing inclusion. (PKP)

At one Illinois elementary school, student portfolios have been a powerful vehicle for understanding what students know and understand about standards. Before developing a portfolio, educators should listen to children as they evaluate others' accomplishments and encourage conversations and reflections that affirm students' sense of competence.…