Provides a succinct and useful overview to arguments, pro and con, concerning ability grouping for students. Briefly summarizes the research for and against heterogenous grouping, noting that most of the research is focused on very narrow and specific applications. Argues for an open-minded and flexible approach. (MJP)

Describes the Gender and Science Digital Library (GSDL), an online collection of high-quality, interactive science resources that are gender-fair, inclusive, and engaging to students. Considers use by teachers and school library media specialists to encourage girls to enter careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). (LRW)

There is a "gaping separation" in academic achievement between minority group children and White children. Research shows that minority group children can achieve when the following issues are addressed: high expectations geared to clear standards, timely intervention for struggling students, excellent teachers with good ethnic…

At a Spokane (Washington) elementary school, ethnically diverse students perform well even though most come from difficult, low-income family environments. High expectations, student behavioral "self-management," a supportive environment, and teacher collaboration are key to this success. Multiple approaches to teaching cater to…

A two-year study involving 173 Portuguese fifth-graders found students who were rejected by their peers were more disruptive, aggressive, and had more trouble with teachers. Students who were rated as lower status students (rejected and neglected) achieved poorly in 5th grade and more poorly in 6th grade. (Contains references.) (CR)

Field notes and interview data were triangulated with secondary data in this ethnographic study to generate a description of social organization. A partial theory of the teacher's actions in working with a predominantly Black group of 17 low-income rural high school students was devised. Teacher effectiveness in this situation is described. (SLD)

Cross-sectional data are presented on the relation between school achievement and measures of school environment (particularly effective schools characteristics) for 38 high schools, 32 middle schools, and 134 elementary schools in the Milwaukee metropolitan area. School environment was assessed through a survey of 5,500 teachers. (SLD)

With a speech-language pathologist as consultant, volunteers provided language/concept enrichment to 22 kindergarten students who had low screening scores in the areas of articulation, language, and concepts. Microcomputer software programs were used to teach quantity, quality, time/sequence, nouns, and verbs. Teachers felt that 41 percent of the…

Describes study that compared the achievement of high and low ability eighth-grade students working cooperatively during computer-based instruction. Homogeneous and heterogeneous grouping based on ability are explained, posttest results are analyzed, and implications for instructional design are discussed. (23 references) (Author/LRW)

This article is a case study of two distance education graduate courses offered by means of computer-mediated communications at The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Topics discussed include adult learning; student interactions; teacher's roles; student achievement; student attitudes; small groups versus learning partners; and…

Despite low teacher salaries and per-pupil expenditures relative to other states, South Dakota ranks high in several measures of student performance, including standardized test scores and high school graduation rate. Attributes the state's educational achievement to strong, stable families, small schools that are community centers, and…

Tests a cultural resources/social interaction model of gatekeeping by school teachers using data for seventh and eighth grade students in a city school district. Results indicate informal academic standards by which teachers reward general skills, habits, and styles, accounting for course grade differentials observed for gender, ethnicity, and…

Investigated was the effect of programing-augmented mathematics classes on the math achievement, problem solving abilities, and attitudes of students with different cognitive styles. Reports BASIC programing groups demonstrated higher mathematics achievement than the LOGO group, and field independent students performed better and had more positive…

Literature was reviewed on minimum state standards related to teacher preparation and performance and on effective teaching. The review revealed that there was generally little or no relationship between effective teaching and requirements for minimum grade point average, screening tests, and general education courses. (IAH)

Discussion of the effectiveness of combining instructional strategies to produce methods of group instruction that are as effective as tutoring focuses on a study of undergraduates that assessed the cognitive, affective, and sociometric outcomes of an instructional system combining cooperative learning, enhanced student participation, and advance…