Reviews educational reforms of the past 10 years as they relate to visual arts education. Finds that progress has been made in the development of theoretical rationales for art education and in assessing teacher performance. Also finds that little progress has been made in evaluating student learning and performance. (CFR)

Discusses collaborative or cooperative learning and its use in school and academic libraries to improve the effectiveness of bibliographic instruction. A study in which the pairing of undergraduate education students was used to teach information retrieval using the ERIC database on CD-ROM is described. (13 references) (EA)

Gives first-year results of three-year program evaluation for drug and alcohol prevention project. Compared a target group of 152 sixth graders receiving instruction using Botvin's life skills training curriculum with 64 subjects receiving no treatment. Results indicated that the program had a significant positive impact on the target subjects'…

A study examined the effectiveness of a program to prepare and retain 35 on-the-job teachers serving students with mild to moderate disabilities in urban schools. Teachers developed competency over time and viewed seminars and on-site assistance as critical sources of support, however, they continued to experience significant challenges and…

A study based on data from 1,500 students at 20 colleges and universities found that students who combined community service and academic study (service learning) differed from those who did not, in their target attitudes, skills, values, and understanding of social issues. Participation in service learning had an impact on these outcomes over the…

This study evaluated a leisure-education program with 19 adolescents and young adults with mild to moderate mental retardation. The program focused on developing leisure appreciation, self-determination and decision-making skills, social interactions and friendships, and leisure resources. Significant improvement in achievement of educational…

A study investigated the use of dialog journals as a tool for promoting the learning of 13 prospective teaches in a multicultural teacher education course. How the dialog journals promoted reflection among the prospective teachers and helped the instructor adapt instruction to better meet students' needs is explained. (Author/CR)

Used hierarchical linear modeling to study the relations between the degree of Chapter I and regular-program coordination in high-poverty schools and students' longitudinal achievements while controlling for the compositional features of the school. Findings reveal some areas in which high-poverty schools can influence the academic achievement of…

A 10-year-old student with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, predominately inattentive type, was provided with computer software and a paging device with word prompting capabilities to prompt him to initiate and complete daily tasks. The intervention was effective in promoting the occurrence of target behaviors but did not affect overall…

Reports on the design and formative evaluation of interactive multimedia instruction to develop reflective thinking in preservice student teachers at the University of Ottawa (Canada). Highlights include ease of use, including navigation; instructional design; program effectiveness; and suggestions for further research, including the application…

A survey of 90 university graduates (with 54% responding) who had taken part in university-based learning strategy training as part of an adolescent teaching methods course found that respondents felt the training was beneficial and should be continued and expanded. Recommendations included the need to coordinate university preservice and school…

Discussion of trends and the current status of gifted education in the United States describes components of an effective program for gifted students, notes the lack of understanding of the frustrations experienced by gifted students and their parents, the importance of staff development and cluster grouping, and the parent's role in advocating…

A study examined the effects of a 2-year follow-up prevention program for 31 Head Start kindergarten and first-grade students with behavior problems. Results indicated reduced inappropriate behaviors, including aggression, grabbing, out-of-seat behaviors, and negative verbal statements. Improved compliance and more positive peer interactions were…

Successful block scheduling depends on provision of initial and ongoing instructional training. Teaching strategies should vary and include cooperative learning, the case method, the socratic seminar, synectics, concept attainment, the inquiry method, and simulations. Recommendations for maximizing block scheduling are outlined. (Contains 52…

Reviews the literature on technology applied to early interventions. Reports results from a study that compared instructor and advising staff effects on the impact of early alerts. States that the results cast doubt on early alerts as an effective tool to improve the performance of at-risk students. (AUTH)