This paper will share the author's experiences working with a large and diverse school district to design curriculum-embedded, performance-based assessments (PBAs) that measure 21st century skills in K-5 students. These assessments are designed to integrate seamlessly with classroom instruction; measure skills such as critical thinking,…

This paper outlines a 9-week program for the acquisition of basic psychotherapeutic knowledge, attitudes, and skills for pre-practicum graduate students in professional psychology. Basic to the design of the described program are assumptions that participants have previously acquired, and demonstrated, proficiency in interactional skills which are…

The English department faculty training program at Purdue University-Calumet, Indiana, designed a program that would provide their entire staff with the skills necessary to use computer-assisted instruction and word processing to teach all levels of writing. Phase one of the program was a semester-long class designed for regular faculty, beginner…

Recent advances in psycholinguistics, cognitive psychology, and information processing theory have produced several notions that have revolutionized previous conceptions of reading and what it means to understand. These notions support the idea that more emphasis should be placed on reading comprehension skills in the English as a second language…

All individuals desiring employment as substitute teachers for the Oklahoma City Public Schools are required to attend a professional substitute teacher institute. Certified and noncertified applicants are eligible; retired teachers who have been employed within the previous 3 years are exempt. Curriculum and instruction for the institute,…

The 61 cooperative vocational centers in Minnesota are joint efforts of 2 or more neighboring school districts to provide secondary vocational education and to strengthen, extend and expand existing vocational programs. Begun as pilot projects in 1968, the centers focus on introducing students to a variety of occupations, providing career…

The benefits and the role of speech communication courses in developmental education programs are examined in this paper. The first section outlines the need for a package of developmental classes that includes a course in speech communication to prepare students for college-level courses. It describes a successful developmental program for…

A center was established in 1978 to develop a program of curriculum materials designed to enable school districts in Alaska to strengthen and improve the English and native-language skills of Yup'ik children. The program is described here, as well as its rationale and philosophical assumptions, the materials that have been developed, and the…

At the Louisiana State University Laboratory School, the 4-year course sequences in French and Spanish use American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines as a basis for planning for language skill development. In listening proficiency, the course sequence integrates teaching of listening skills with other…

Two college faculty members have developed two speech communication courses specifically designed to increase the communication skills and self-confidence of non-native speakers of English. One course teaches pronunciation skills, including stress, rhythm, and intonation. The second focuses on speaking and listening skills for getting acquainted,…

Guidelines and materials used at Iowa Wesleyan College (IWC) to plan homestay weekends for foreign students are presented. The IWC program is designed to help international students develop English listening and speaking skills, have students experience American home life, and promote intercultural communication and understanding. The materials…

The Students of Limited English Proficiency (SLEP) program of the Honolulu School District (Hawaii) is designed to help the large number of limited-English-speaking immigrants adjust to the American culture in the Hawaiian setting by acquiring basic communication skills for regular classroom participation and school activities. The program is…

A 2-year project examined the effectiveness of courses for returning workers in enabling women to make a sustained return to paid employment in the following countries: France; Spain; Ireland; and the United Kingdom. In each country, a short foundation-level program and a longer accredited return-to-work program were selected for evaluation.…

Findings of an investigation of ten public school adult basic education (ABE) programs in New York State indicate important implications for ABE programs which foster self-directed learning. Because of the significant relationship between the fostering and student preference for self-directed learning, adult educators should plan ABE programs to…