The achievement gap is a topic that has plagued the education research field for a long time. This persistent quandary is often rooted in disparities along racial, socioeconomic, and other demographic lines, such as geographical location. This study focuses on the achievement gap within the context of the Mississippi Delta. This rural region of…

By aligning factors that most commonly influence the achievement of Black and Hispanic students with the type of resources inside the black box of schooling, this study differentiated the achievement effect of school resources from what was brought by students to schools. The hierarchical regression results showed that minority students'…

Reports on the replication of a study of teaching styles from the 1970s. Explores possible relationships between class size and the quality of teaching in 60 classrooms. Suggests some reasons for teachers choosing teaching strategies that are ineffective. (DDR)

The United States has been engaged in school reform for three decades. The federal government as well as all fifty states have passed numerous versions of reform legislation to mandate and regulate the process. Educators have adjusted their practices to the policy created by this legislation. They have also allocated hundreds of billions of…

This paper results from the Oregon Action Plan for Excellence, which defines goals and outcomes of the K-12 school experience. This Physical Education Concept Paper, the first of a series, is presented as a challenge to Oregon physical educators to confront constructively and resolve issues with implications for school physical education programs.…

After finding that French language learning was declining in Rio de Janeiro schools because of inadequate resources, oversized classes, and irrelevant curricula, several teachers turned to a magazine for adolescents for motivating students to read. Extracts from an article and a series of exercises developing varied competencies illustrate the…

This report, updated and expanded from a 1990 report, covers seven broad areas of Indiana education since 1980: (1) governance; (2) reform; (3) student enrollment and attainment; (4) student achievement; (5) curricular requirements and programs; (6) education work force; and (7) education finance. Additionally, the report provides data on…

This paper examines strategies for urban school improvement within the realm of preschool, elementary, and secondary level programs, and systemwide programs. Examples of programs in each grade level area which are operating in different parts of the country are given. The following elements are identified as common to all successful programs: (1)…

The impact of declining enrollment on the public schools and its implications for educational planning are examined. Three critical areas in instructional improvement are considered. As enrollments decline, more space becomes available in school facilities. Uses for this space are suggested: development of resource centers, expansion of enrichment…

This paper discusses the importance of expansion of the quantity of schooling and enhancement of the quality of schooling, both of which can be seen as directed towards the same goal, the improvement of educational outcomes for the population. Because both quantitative and qualitative investment projects in the education sector compete for the…

Presents recommendations on establishing liaisons with elementary and secondary schools; teaching the writing skills; helping independent scholars; developing continuing education programs; requiring foreign language for college admission; training ML graduate students as teachers; resisting exploitation of part-time faculty members; limiting…

This speech discusses problems that principals face in trying to implement effective school strategies, describes ongoing research in instructional management, and identifies school improvement strategies used by particularly effective principals. The first section addresses practical problems in finding the appropriate balance between high…

This report considers the situation of the Illinois public schools and provides an affirmative argument summarizing the most recent research in four key areas where research has demonstrated that money clearly makes a difference in the quality of the education product: (1) establishing classroom sizes that meet the individual needs of students;…

This document reviews information and research findings regarding various options to facilitate the full inclusion of students with disabilities. Principles of inclusive schools introduce the document. Three categories of strategies and interventions for working with students with disabilities are included: (1) program strategies, (2) classroom…

This booklet shares what South Carolina teachers said during Teacher Talk, a series of regional dialogue sessions between teachers and the State Superintendent of Education in 1997. Teachers from all levels and disciplines participated in the meetings. Teachers identified learning activities that were highly effective for students, worked in small…