This final performance report provides project outcome information and data to the U.S. Department of Education for the federally-funded Library Literacy Program. The Pottsville Free Public Library conducted a project that involved recruitment, retention, public awareness, training, basic literacy, collection development, tutoring, other…

Intended for parents (or surrogate parents) of children with disabilities in Arizona, this handbook explains rights and procedural safeguards under federal and state laws. Section 1, an introduction to special education, is followed by a section on parent rights in relation to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, initial evaluation,…

This book examines schools' legal responsibility for providing equal educational opportunities for children with disabilities under the 1997 reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). First, an introduction to the American legal system and federal policy on disability is provided. Next, the six principles of special education…

This monograph summarizes the literature base that informs current understanding of the best approaches to support students with disabilities in inclusive settings. In part 1, a context is established by considering the movement toward inclusive schooling practices within the larger arena of school reform. This is followed by a synthesis of…

A study addressed educational and psychological issues raised by the phenomenal growth of Irish-medium pre-schools ("naionrai"). Data were gathered in surveys of almost 2,000 parents, over 170 teachers and advisors, and 225 children in 25 Irish-medium pre-schools in both "Gaeltacht" (Irish-speaking districts) and…

This paper describes the use of folktales in the classroom, noting the instructional benefits, challenges and potential problems, and techniques for presenting and expanding on the stories. Of nine folktales told during the school year, five are told in English and four in Spanish, and most are closely tied to the social studies curriculum. Four…

A study was undertaken to identify and describe some of the obstacles, especially sociolinguistic, that stand between Hispanic communities in rural Nelson County, Virginia and appropriate health care, so the barriers can be minimized through provision of culturally sensitive outreach services and health-literacy programming. The target population…

This book, which is intended for trainers responsible for teaching workplace diversity, brings together the voices of 17 individuals currently engaged in diversity education. The following topics are examined in the book's five parts: identity, preparation, and the experience of being classified as "different"; the nature of diversity…

This report of a study at the University of Maryland describes an international, interactive, and interdisciplinary project for first- and second-year students, which combines a large lecture format with small-group, seminar-type sessions organized around a computer-assisted simulation model, the International Communication and Negotiation…

The Ouachita Parish Public Library (Louisiana) conducted a project that involved recruitment, coalition building, public awareness, training, basic literacy, collection development, tutoring, technology, and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. The project served a community of over 200,000 people, and targeted the learning disabled,…

Project READ (Resources for Educational Attainment & Development) was established to develop a library literacy partnership between the Claiborne Parish (Louisiana) Library, Claiborne Technical Institute, and David Wade Correctional Center to improve inmates' literacy skills. This report, detailing the project, begins with a section that…

Based on observations of more than 50 Japanese preschool and elementary classrooms over a 14-year period, this book offers a fresh perspective on how children become eager, motivated learners and caring responsible citizens. In a sharp departure from most previous accounts, this book suggests that Japanese education succeeds because all…

This book contains the following papers about the history and role of Australia's mechanics' institutes and schools of arts: "'The Light of Heaven Itself': The Contribution of the Institutes to Australia's Cultural History" (Candy); "Dispelling 'the Stagnant Waters of Ignorance': The Early Institutes in Context" (Webby);…

Canada's public schools are essential public goods resources. For children to benefit, parents cooperate in efforts to support and enhance their children's education. In today's multicultural communities, parents have an increasingly complex mix of expectations, cultural beliefs, values, and assumptions regarding educational systems. Differing…

Considerable attention has been given recently to how children educate each other and how to maximize the cognitive benefits of peer learning. Based on papers presented at a 1996 symposium on Cognitive Skills and Learning with Peers, this book focuses on peer learning. Part 1 presents implications of Piaget's and Vygotsky's theories. Part 2…