A year-round magnet elementary school in Salem, Massachusetts, has increased its family involvement by borrowing elements from many models. The school has mixed-age groupings, integrated social services, and community outreach strategies such as a parent center, business-sponsored Friday clubs, and celebrations of learning. (MLH)

This reference guide describes the implementation and use of mixed-age classrooms in Oregon. Those schools that wished to be included provided information on a prepared form. Responses from 94 elementary schools from 23 counties are presented. Each school's profile includes information on school statistics, a description of the program, how the…

Noting the relationship between educational philosophy and the cultural context in which it is implemented, discusses what American Montessori elementary teachers must do to create a classroom environment responsive to the Montessori notions of child-centeredness, multiage grouping, and community building, while meeting minimum performance…

Noting that there is a great demand for information to help educators learn about and develop programs in multiage education, this book shares many ideas on multiage instruction. The 12 chapters of the book are: (1) "Circling Back" (Jane Doan), on the resurgence of interest in the multiage movement; (2) "One Day" (Penelle Chase), exploring a day…

Discusses the origins and operation of The Manhattan New School, an alternative elementary school in New York City that opened in 1991, with a focus on the extensive staff development and literacy programs conducted by the school. (MDM)

Noting the fragile relationship between parent participation and school reform, this book tells the story of the Charquin Program, an alternative public school program in Hayward, California, dedicated to parent participation and notable for its open classroom structure and intensely democratic practice. The introduction relates the history and…

Described is a visit to the Fajans School in Falkenberg, Sweden, a single stream elementary school with an integrated nursery and day care center. Serving 220 children, the Fajans school does not grade according to age or ability. The nursery school provides 47 day care places, plus 18 in a part-time day nursery and 30 for children 7-12 years old…

Students attending a Minnesota school in a middle-class neighborhood are finding that cooperation, conflict resolution, and civic values are creating a safe haven from the stresses of family and neighborhood life. Students have two innovative programs (Continuous Progress and Discovery) to choose from. Highlands Elementary nurtures its students…

This paper describes the development and operation of two professional development schools (PDS) by the School of Education at Baylor University. These schools were organized to develop and demonstrate: (1) high quality learning programs for diverse students; (2) practical, thought-provoking preparation for novice teachers; (3) new understandings…

This resource book contains a variety of information on multiage practice, and instruction in mixed-age and grade-level classrooms. The first two parts of the book contain 24 reprinted articles: (1) "Ready To Learn: A Seven-Step Strategy"; (2) "On Tracking and Individual Differences: A Conversation with Jeannie Oakes"; (3)…

The seven brief chapters of this paper advocate mixed-age grouping in schools and child care centers. Discussion defines mixed-age grouping and examines some limitations of single-age grouping. Research findings on social and cognitive aspects of mixed-age grouping are reviewed. Social aspects are discussed by considering in turn the following…

Noting that the growing popularity of year-round schools (extended calendar without increasing the number of school days) has coincided with an increase in school accountability, this report provides a descriptive case study on one year-round school located within a large elementary school district in central Virginia. An optional year-round…