This review study includes 43 articles from 2016 and 2017 focusing on teachers' professional development, as guided by the following twofold research question: "What characterizes teachers' professional development in school, and how does this development influence school improvement?" The review indicates that teachers' learning…

This systematic review will focus on curriculum based social and emotional learning (SEL) interventions delivered in preschool or primary/elementary schools aimed at improving social and emotional skills among pupils. It will include any universal programme, delivered on a whole-class or school basis. The interventions' primary goal must be to…

Concludes that learning disabled students using the "Speed Spelling Program" gained in spelling ability, with no student scoring below normal expectancy. Discusses reasons for the program's effectiveness. (FL)

Reports the results of an evaluation of a popular literature-based character education program using a sample of first to sixth grade students (n=965). Finds that the curriculum had a positive effect on cognitive outcomes and that an emphasis of character throughout the curriculum contributed to achieving character outcomes. Includes references.…

Reports an evaluation of the effectiveness of a volunteer tutor reading intervention. Indicates that children receiving the volunteer intervention failed to make greater progress than same-school controls. Considers possible reasons for the apparent intervention failure. Concludes by cautioning against simplistic expectations that adult support…

Reports on a case study of two Austrian primary schools that participated in the Ecologisation of Schools program. Describes project aims, cooperation with the schools, progress made, and outcomes. Discusses the author's role as the project facilitator and describes the guidance activities between November 1996 and May 1998. (CMK)

Presents a study evaluating the effect of reading intervention with children at risk of reading failure. Explains the program spanned 10 weeks and emphasized word building and phonics skills. States there is a need for continual support as opposed to a short intervention. Includes references. (CMK)

Focuses on the multiple-visit program called "Art Around the Corner" at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Reviews research done on the program in order to determine the impact of "Art Around the Corner" on students. Explores the key ingredients of a successful multiple-visit program. (CMK)

Describes a 3-year project designed to serve the needs of artistically talented students, focusing on the project's assessment as a "cautionary tale" for people involved in large-scale, authentic assessments. Describes project evaluations for years two and three and provides recommendations concerning outside evaluators and large-scale educational…

Presents information based on a yearlong study of character education in an elementary school that was implementing "Kids with Character." Offers an analysis of the responses by students, teachers, and parents about character, development of character, and the program. Indicates that contemporary character education programs are similar…

Research has documented that students display culture-specific differences when interacting in multicultural classroom settings. Considering the possible misinterpretations and difficulties for both foreign students and instructors in United States institutions, it can be argued that instructors should be made aware of these differences and…

A study designed to provide insights into reading programs and materials, specifically those in the 21 elementary schools in one California school district, is described in this report. Following a brief presentation of the background of the study, the report states the 15 questions investigated and describes the variables, population, and…

Articles published in the past few years documenting thinking about various topics on physical education for children are combined in the six sections of this book. The first section, "Perspectives on Elementary School Physical Education," provides eight articles on elementary school physical education, movement programs, and physical…

This paper provides an overview of Direct Instruction, an intensive instructional method for grades K-6 based on the theory that learning can be greatly accelerated if instructional presentations are clear, rule out likely misinterpretations and facilitate generalizations. Over 50 instructional programs have been developed based on this…

A two-year study designed to evaluate an elementary language arts program in the Grande Prairie School District (Edmonton, Alberta) through an assessment of student achievement was conducted from 1983 to 1985. This final report describes all facets of the study and presents the researchers' findings and conclusions. Following a preface, the report…