This document explains the advantages of afterschool programs for students and describes the components that make them successful. The major benefits from such programs are increased safety for children, a reduction in risk taking among children participating, and improved learning. Among the elements that characterize high quality afterschool…

"How Students Learn: Science in the Classroom" builds on the discoveries detailed in the best-selling "How People Learn." Now these findings are presented in a way that teachers can use immediately, to revitalize their work in the classroom for even greater effectiveness. Organized for utility, the book explores how the principles of learning can…

The effects of performance assessment on student learning were studied in third grades in three suburban schools and matched control schools. Performance measures did not produce clear and immediate improvements in student learning, but some positive changes were seen in mathematics. (SLD)

Reported is a summary and review of over 300 research papers published in 1987. The review is organized into four sections: (1) "Learners and Learning"; (2) "Teachers and Teaching"; (3) "Curriculum and Instruction"; and (4) "Context and Settings." (YP)

Argues that examinations and assignments shape the way students learn, read, write, and think, and that authentic testing is the most powerful step toward improved student learning. Assignments must pose real questions addressed by practitioners in the discipline in question, must make scholarly sense, and must challenge students to perform rather…

Five articles review drawbacks of traditional programs for at-risk youth, discuss alternatives based on a new definition of risk, and cite examples of helpful programs. They focus on identifying at-risk youth, providing caring and services, measuring service demand, removing obstacles to learning, and special needs of migrant youth. (SLD)

During their elementary school years, many students develop a dislike for school. Their alienation is due partly to the school environment and discouraging educator behaviors. Children sense they are overly assessed and classified, arbitrarily promoted, confined to large groups, and bound to a routine work schedule that values competition and…

This paper reports some of the main lessons learnt from a collaborative project titled "Generating jobs in regional Tasmania: a social capital approach" investigating how two small rural Tasmanian communities could better match local training needs with training provision. The project was conducted within the context of the wider social,…

This study examines the social and pedagogical factors of success in the teaching and upbringing of younger students and how they perceived the meaning of success. Teachers in the primary grades were asked to answer two questions: "What do you consider to be the most important in the teaching and upbringing process?" and "What do…

Student assessment, from the classroom to the state and national levels, is changing. The era of norm-referenced, multiple choice, standardized tests may be coming to an end, to be replaced by other forms of assessment, not all equally good. This guide outlines a vision of what assessment in the service of learning can be and provides ideas,…

The Urban Education Project at Research for Better Schools, Inc. has developed an integrated knowledge base that incorporates and disseminates the most current and promising research for improvement and reform in urban schools. This knowledge base has been organized into a decision-making framework, the Urban Learner Framework (ULF), that…

This book is written to help teachers incorporate a more realistic view of the world, respect for diversity, and a sense of shared humanity into all areas of their work with children aged 3 to 8 years. It focuses on young children's understanding of differences, their interpersonal and intergroup relationships, and related teaching practices,…

Forms of assessment that are consistent with outcomes based education are discussed. Assessment in service to learning must inform students about their learning, provide data for teachers who plan instruction, inform parents about student progress, and provide data for policymakers. Chapter 1 of this document is "The Implications of…

Three papers are presented that summarize current project findings from a study of the actual effects of introducing new forms of assessment at the classroom level. All focus on aspects of performance assessment as an alternative to traditional assessments. "Effects of Introducing Classroom Performance Assessments on Student Learning" by Lorrie A.…

Current research and learning theory suggest that a hierarchy of proportional reasoning exists that can be tested. Using G. Vergnaud's four complexity variables (structure, content, numerical characteristics, and presentation) and T. E. Kieren's model of rational number knowledge building, an epistemic model of proportional reasoning was…