Excessive workloads, crammed schedules, and "perfectionism" are causing today's teens undue stress. Cathy Vatterott, an international expert on K-12 homework, describes this as an epidemic of "rudderless box checkers--four AP classes, check; debate team, check; two sports, check; honor roll, check." What can educators do then…

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.…

In October 1992 issue of "Educational Leadership," Marian Matthews communicates several misunderstandings about cooperative learning. Interview data from 15 middle schoolers in a wealthy district are not generalizable to all cooperative-learning situations. A cooperative-learning group is neither a seating arrangement nor individualistic learning…

Based on individual educational and instructional programing and goal-setting strategies, the Wisconsin Program for the Renewal and Improvement of Secondary Education has improved student achievement, attitudes, and attendance in Wisconsin high schools. The program has worked largely because of its adaptability to each individual school's needs.…