Reviews research literature that defines cooperative learning and substantiates many educational benefits to be derived from it. Outlines eight selected cooperative learning methods. Reports that research shows cooperative learning methods improve students' academic achievement, self-esteem, and social skills. Also suggests that cooperative…

Discusses a comparative study of two fourth grade social studies teaching programs based upon study units concerning flight. Concludes that both Hilda Taba's Teaching Strategies Program and the published simulation program "Flight" were exciting alternative methods of teaching map reading to fourth graders. Reports that students using…

Describes two programs (College-for-a-Day and Scholars Club) to encourage higher education as a realistic goal and to promote scholarship and leadership among middle and high school minority youth in Lee County (Florida). College-for-a-Day is operated in collaboration with University of South Florida and Edison Community College. (SM)

Compared attitudes toward computer use and achievement in biology for three groups of Nigerian students (n=64): (1) working alone with computer; (2) working in groups of three on the computer; (3) and a control group that received normal instruction (lecture). Students in the second group had the highest scores on attitude. No significant…

Studies racial and ethnic differences in mathematics achievement for elementary school students in a large suburban school system in the Washington (DC) metropolitan area. Results with more than 5,000 students show minority students performing at a lower level than majority students. Issues of teacher attitudes, teaching methods, and the role of…

Examined associations between neighborhood risk factors and low-income children's academic performance from third to fifth grade. Neighborhood risk, based on characteristics such as income, education level, female-headed households, and violent crime, was not associated with children's academic performance in third grade but negatively predicted…

Examined long-term effects of family income and life events on math and reading achievement of 1,253 children. Found that low income and minority ethnic status are significant risk factors for children's achievement, although the impact on math achievement was different from impact on reading achievement. No systematic evidence was found for the…

Identifies problems with the Approaches to Studying Inventory (ASI) as a survey instrument for use with non-Western students. A study using ASI attempted to examine the effects of secondary educational experiences on Fiji college students' study habits. Responses suggested the students were influenced by an acquiescent response bias. (MJP)

Notes that the capacity of schools to respond effectively to diverse learning needs of students often falls short, due to the lack of a systematic knowledge base on restructuring the current system to incorporate effective practices that achieve a high standard of schooling for all students. Describes and evaluates one successful inner-city…

Summarizes a study evaluating California's first digital magnet school, designed to emulate a Silicon-Valley high-tech start-up company. A survey of 159 junior and seniors revealed positive perceptions of the school's program and business atmosphere and very high expectations for achieving college and career success. (Contains 44 references.) (MLH)

Presents a collection of articles that offer information on such issues as the progress of black student matriculations at the highest-ranking U.S. colleges; black historians teaching black history; Blacks in academic accounting; banishing the stereotype that African Americans cannot do mathematics; campus crime rates at black colleges; and the…

Reviews 1999 school finance legislation, analyzes 1994-99 state education finance activity, and discusses established and emergent trends in funding for school infrastructure, educational technology, charter schools, student achievement (class-size reduction, school-year extensions, reading instruction, and alternative placements), teacher…

The primary intent of this program evaluation was to determine the degree of inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classes in four elementary and four secondary schools; the similarities and differences in how special education services were offered; and the ways in which students with disabilities were supported in the…

The Commonwealth of Virginia overcame an environment of each institution for itself to craft an accountability process oriented around state needs.

This study addressed four questions which parents of children with selective mutism (SM) frequently ask: (1) Is SM associated with anxiety or oppositional behavior? (2) Is SM associated with parenting and family dysfunction? (3) Will my child fail at school? and (4) Will my child make friends or be teased and bullied? In comparison to a sample of…