The purpose of this guide is to provide an overview of behavioral progress monitoring and goal setting to inform data-driven decision making within tiered support models and individualized education programs (IEPs). The guide covers: (1) components of quality behavioral IEP goals; (2) how to know which behavior(s) should be addressed through an…

COVID-19 exacerbated and brought attention to inequities long present in public education. Facing inconsistent access to learning over distance, students will leave this period with months of what's been called "lost learning." Short of repeating a full year, addressing these gaps presents a grave challenge for traditionally structured…

Fully updated to reflect current issues in the field of art education. Checklists embedded in charts allow users to indicate where their school or district stands in relation to the criteria--which has been expanded to include district wide, elementary, middle, high school, and superior standards. The criteria within the checklists reflect…

The Wallace Foundation is funding a multiyear demonstration project to determine whether voluntary, district summer learning programs can stem summer learning loss for low-income students. Six districts--Boston, Cincinnati, Dallas, Duval County (Florida), Pittsburgh, and Rochester, New York--were selected for the demonstration project and…

The purpose of this report is to support educational administrators and policymakers in becoming informed consumers of information about online learning and its potential impact on educational productivity. The report provides foundational knowledge needed to examine and understand the potential contributions of online learning to educational…

As shown by MetLife's 2010 "Survey of the American Teacher," America's educators strongly believe that all students should graduate from high school ready for college and a career (85 percent). Additionally, according to MetLife's 2009 survey, 86 percent of teachers believe that setting high expectations for students will improve student…

What turns a good school into a great school? With today's schools under enormous pressure to make adequate yearly progress (AYP), the answers are more important than ever--and this essential guidebook gives K-12 administrators and educators scores of proven, concrete strategies to help their school succeed. Authors Martin Ratcliffe and Melissa…

This article explores what it takes to develop systemic strategies and structures that engage youth as coconstructors of their learning environment and experience. It looks at efforts nationwide to engage young people in educational change endeavors, draws on lessons learned from a national high school reform initiative, and addresses some…

Observations of student behavior in the elementary and secondary classrooms of Ohio's Otsego Local School District revealed significant differences in the kinds and quantities of off-task behaviors among students at different grade levels, and may help educators develop methods for increasing learning time. The observation instrument is included.…

Because studies have shown that classroom distractions can interfere with school activities, the effects of several kinds of interruptions on elementary school students are described and measured for their frequency of occurrence, the time required for recovery of concentration, and their influence on morale and concentration. Using a sample of 65…

Examines recent research to show that group-based mastery learning programs have consistently positive effects on student learning outcomes, including academic achievement, material retention, involvement in learning activities, and student attitudes. These programs also affect teachers and have considerable potential for implementation in regular…

An overview of research and practice about mathematics reveals that good teachers keep students on task, devote half the class time to new material, review skills, stress concepts and relationships, emphasize higher order thinking skills, ask process questions, monitor understanding, and use a variety of structures. Ten references are appended.…

A synthesis of 15 empirical studies shows that homework consistently benefits elementary and secondary students' achievement and attitudes, especially if it is commented upon or graded. (MCG)

Recent research findings relating to time-on-task have had little effect on school practice. One cause was reducing the findings to an oversimplified statement that equated more time with more learning. Offers ways that schools can increase time-on-task. (CJH)

An examination of pullouts--the practice of withdrawing certain elementary school students from their classrooms, usually for specialized instruction, field trips, assemblies, or school projects. Includes historical background, a study of curriculum effects, study guidelines, and solutions to pullout problems. (DCS)