Parents and students feel that summer is the time for vacations. The district's quinmester program was cancelled because of low summer attendance. (IRT)

At this moment, in school districts throughout the United States, initiatives are being launched to extend the school day, increase homework, integrate technology, and require more high-stakes testing. The assumption underlying these initiatives is that more and more--more time in school, more homework, more technology, and more high-stakes…

An interview with Wayne C. Malone, principal of Pasco Comprehensive Senior High School, Dade City, Florida. The Pasco district recently elected to adopt the 45-15 day extended school-year plan. (JF)

The change to year-round schools may precipitate system shock,'' which could lead to complete restructuring of cirriculum, athletics, and organization. (Author/JH)

Notes that it is not known whether more time spent in school increases children's learning. Suggests that instead of running the "assembly line" for more hours, educators might try a summer program based on enrichment and fun-time activities as an alternative way to discover whether more learning time would be a good investment. An important…

Describes seven features of effective summer schools from recent Southern Regional Education Board report with examples of state legislation in support of each of these features. For example, summer school should be an integral part of a year-round program of extra time and extra help. Includes description of relevant Kentucky, California,…

To implement numerous educational reforms within the constraints of skyrocketing enrollment and limited financial resources, Utah has given technology a key role. Technology has already changed teaching and learning via satellite delivery systems, writing labs, distance learning, instructional television, and other innovations. Policies and…

Twenty-fourth annual Gallup/Phi Delta Kappan education poll shows public that wants improved public schools despite elected leaders' failed improvement efforts. Survey respondents perceive biggest problems facing schools are inadequate financial support, drug use, lack of discipline. They support national standardized tests, preschool programs for…

Describes a plan that overcomes two serious problems of year-round schools: (1) the difficulty of providing individualized continuous instruction and (2) parental rebellion. (Author)

Argues that instead of lengthening school days and years, schools should efficiently include rescheduling school days to include solely academic courses and instituting mastery learning. (JW)

Provides background and reviews research for "time-on-task" oriented approaches to instructional effectiveness. Following an examination of four possible approaches to increasing a student's active learning time, the author cautions that the relationship of time to learning is a complex one involving a number of variables. (JBM)

This examination of a case that is seeking to determine whether a district in Tennessee met its obligation under the Individuals with Disabilities Act to provide a "free appropriate public education" to a student with autism concludes that the courts' decisions to date are already literally remarkable for several reasons. These reasons…

Reports the full results of the 1982 Gallup Poll of the public's attitude toward education. Topics covered include major problems confronting the schools, rating of the schools, federal funds, budget cutting, curriculum changes, special education, and federal control. (JM)