Not your typical how-to manual for new teachers, this no-nonsense, jargon-free elementary school teacher resource offers a wide variety of tools and tactics for getting through every school day with grace and sanity. Covered in glue, glitter, orange juice--or worse? Make a quick change into the spare set of clothes you keep on hand for just this…

How can you ensure that you are grading your exceptional students fairly? Teachers receive very little guidance for grading students with disabilities, English learners, and those receiving services through a response-to-intervention (RTI) process. This practitioner-friendly book provides teachers and administrators with an effective framework for…

The emotional and behavioral problems of students in the classroom are a major concern for teachers, administrators, and the public. Without effective behavior management, a positive and productive classroom environment is impossible to achieve. Forty years of scientific research supports the efficacy of behavioral interventions in the classroom,…

This book aims to provide a coherent and thoughtful framework for viewing the complex issues related to grading and reporting student learning. The primary goal of grading and reporting is recognized as communication, and grading and reporting are seen to be integral parts of the instructional process. Chapter 1 explores why grading and reporting…

In industry, performance evaluations allow employees and supervisors to share their thoughts on how the other is doing. But how does a board evaluate the performance of its directors or trustees, especially a nonprofit board composed of volunteers? In higher education, there is no profit measure or stock price to track. The Board of Trustees of…

Their missions are painfully clear--raise test scores, reduce the number of dropouts, and narrow the achievement gap separating white and minority students. The consequences of failure are equally clear--denial of school accreditation, state takeover, school closure, and diminished hopes and dreams for struggling communities. Such is the world of…

Argues that current grading practices in some schools lack consistency in several critical areas, including criteria for failure, absolute or relative standards, and motivation of slower students. Policies are suggested that will help educators develop fairer and more humane marking systems. (TE)

Three male primary students were issued a daily report card rating their disruptive behavior. Parents were asked to praise positive reports and ignore negative reports. Results showed that the intervention was effective in reducing inappropriate behaviors while increasing assignment completion. Ratings by parents, teachers, peers, and subjects…

This study focuses on school report cards as an accountability tool, and on how their use interacts with one of the most persistent problems facing the public education system, i.e., the continuing underachievement of minority students. The paper looks specifically at the issues concerning the desirability of reporting student performance by race…

Reports on a study of the factors upon which teachers base student evaluations among 77 Italian students and 5 teachers. Presents a two-level model illustrating seven major topics used by teachers for their evaluations. Includes two tables, two figures, and two appendixes illustrating the model. (CFR)