This article discusses the potential and effects of the educational reform movement by discussing (1) the nature of the link between educational practices and the achievement decline of the 1960s and 1970s; and (2) the connection between the recent wave of reforms and the widespread rise in test scores. (TE)

A study investigated the relationship between school principals' leadership behaviors and school outcomes in Canadian schools undertaking reform efforts. Results indicate transformational leadership behaviors were more effective than transactional leadership in enhancing school, teacher, program, instructional, and student outcomes. These findings…

Analyzes the goals and effectiveness of the Nuevos Horizontes program at Chicago's Triton College, an outreach effort to provide educational opportunities to Triton's diverse communities. Cites the general success of the program, suggesting that the two-way exchange between the college and communities served provides a model for multiculturalism…

This review of 10 years (1983-93) of 2 journals on individuals with deafness summarizes research on family influences on child achievement and the influence of educational interventions on families of deaf children. Parental expectations and family communication fluency were most commonly linked to child achievement. Interventions exhibited…

Many drug abuse prevention programs and materials, such as the "Smart Choices" newsletter for kindergartners, are developmentally inappropriate for young children. Successful preventive measures need to address the mixed messages that society itself gives to children about alcohol and other drugs and present developmentally appropriate instruction…

Defines multimedia didactics and notes instructional aids they offer. Highlights include interactivity within learning programs; the visualization and presentation of learning contents; the effectiveness in information programs; and the challenge of multimedia didactics for research and teaching. (AEF)

This study examined strategies to increase diffusion of a school-based tobacco prevention program (Smart Choices), comparing the impact on curriculum implementation of either video or workshop teacher training approaches. Fewer video trained teachers implemented the curriculum, but overall completeness and fidelity of implementation for those who…

Assessment of the impact of a collaborative inclusion model involving 670 students with disabilities in 26 schools revealed that student growth was similar in the inclusion and "pull-out" models, general and special education teachers felt quality of service had improved with inclusion, and inclusion was associated with lower rates of…

Presents a case study of the effectiveness of a combination of a family literacy home intervention program with one-on-one intense tutoring for nonreading families. Notes that the family began to make positive changes in their reading environment, attitudes, and interactions which had a positive effect on their child's reading progress at school.…

Provides independent analysis of the extant evaluations of Reading Recovery. Finds that students make greater than expected gains in reading, effects comparable to those accomplished by other effective educational interventions; and that programs are less effective in maintaining student gains and more costly than has been claimed. Offers…

This article reports results of a national survey of 629 veteran and 704 referred parents participating in Parent to Parent programs, noting the program's role as part of comprehensive family-centered services for parents of young children with special needs. The survey collected information about where programs are, services they provide, and…

Nine mothers of children with physical disabilities in Ireland participated in a 10-week training program that focused on social learning theory and identification and modification of undesirable child behaviors. Evaluation indicated reduced maternal stress and substantial reductions in identified problem behaviors. (DB)

When New Jersey passed the Quality Education Act to equalize expenditures between rich and poor school districts, it increased regulatory oversight for its 30 poorest districts. The oversight system, the burdens it created for districts, and the political control are described. The new system is evaluated as moderately effective. (SLD)

This study of 126 gifted young women 14 years after participation in a career development program called Project CHOICE found that educational and career attainment compared favorably with other gifted women and with criteria reflecting social expectation. Personal and relational accomplishments were identified almost as frequently as educational…

In response to an article suggesting that the Ph.D. is a research degree of little value in training teachers and that alternative degree programs have been unsuccessful, two academics express their opinions concerning the Doctor of Arts degree and the role of the Ph.D. in preparing faculty for college teaching. (MSE)