The Austin Collaborative for Mathematics Education (ACME) was an initiative begun in August 1997 to improve mathematics education in all AISD elementary and middle school classrooms by providing teachers with long-term, high quality professional development. This report summarizes program evaluation information for school year 2001-2002.

Used the Parent Effectiveness Training program (PET) with parents (N=92) of learning disabled children. Significant differences were found between the treatment and control groups on all five attitudes measured on the Parent Attitude Survey. Similar results were obtained on the Children's Report of Parental Behavior Inventory. (RC)

Six biology teachers and 90 students participated in this study. Results indicate that teachers can be trained to use a systematic questioning technique, trained teachers can employ the technique in classroom settings, and students taught by the technique achieve higher and retain knowledge longer than those in control groups. (JN)

Surveyed 55 psychiatric/mental health nursing programs to assess training in substance abuse. Results indicated that, although virtually all programs offered some course work and clinical experience, the modal amount of course work was five percent of a three credit course. Specific clinical training was offered but rarely chosen. (JAC)

Studied 340 former inmates of two reform schools. One school emphasized psychological treatment; the other school stressed harsh punishment. Results suggested that "milieu therapy" works in adolescence, but has no discernible effect after age 24. Ethnicity had a powerful effect on recidivism. (JAC)

Student teachers exposed to combined course on science history/philosophy showed increased understanding of the nature and language of science as result of the course. Indicates that such a course could enhance prospective science teachers' understanding of science and consequently the students they will teach after training. (Author/JN)

Eighty-five sixth-grade students were randomly assigned to either a traditional instruction or a systems instructional group and were blocked according to sex and ethnicity. Following eight months of mathematics instruction, skill assessments found significant differences for adding and subtracting fractions subtests related to both instructional…

Temporal variability within the record was more easily attributed to the adequacy of past accountability research and to public policy than to program effects, socioeconomic climate, or changing receiver group attitudes. (Author/SEW)

Attitudes of educational planners, politicians, and teachers will have to change radically if systems and institutions are to cope with the explosive problems of unemployment. That alteration must also be accompanied by changes in labour market conventions, traditional salary structures, recruitment and selection procedures, and in social and…

A survey of faculty development practices in Canadian universities, the extent of their use, and their estimated effectiveness is reported. Traditional practices were the most common, although some of the least used practices were judged most effective. The most pressing need was for instructional rather than personal or organizational…

Describes five telecommunications delivery systems offered or planned by Rio Salado Community College: cassette copies of radio/television courses in public libraries; "live" cable television; print-based correspondence courses; audio teleconferencing; and slow-scan video. Underscores the importance of administrative support, faculty…

Three alternative secondary education programs that emphasized individualized instruction and social support for students were found to be influential in reducing disruptive behavior and improving the academic performance of students who were about to be expelled or suspended from school. Social psychological processes that led to program…

Examined effects of a brief parent training package on parental application of behavioral procedures during child instruction for 49 parents and their 2 1/2- to 5-year-old children. Parent training produced variations in parental use of modeling, physical prompting, verbal instructional prompting, and aversive control. However, the pattern of…

Reviews several aspects of counseling services for institutionalized juvenile offenders. The six articles include studies on the functional analysis of behavior in detention, vocational and social rehabilitation, the impact of a juvenile awareness program on personality traits, and the effectiveness of a juvenile transition center. (JAC)

A study comparing the performances and preferences of college statistics students in streamed and mixed-ability groups revealed that both types of class organization are workable, but students prefer varied abilities in small work groups. (AM)