As the world becomes more diverse socially, culturally, and economically, there are growing expectations that the individual's differences and rights will be recognized, respected, and responded to in positive ways. This book provides teachers of both multi-age and diverse single-age classrooms guidance on classroom organization, curriculum…

The teaching guide and the videotape it complements are designed to help students define and discuss civic responsibilities. The thirty-two minute videotape takes a case-study approach toward understanding civic responsibility. The video identifies some of the attitudes and feelings people have towards problems in American society and then gives…

This paper describes research into the use of cognitive tools in the classroom using "Exploring the Nardoo", an information landscape designed to support student investigation. Simulations and support tools which allow multimedia reporting are embedded in the package and are supported by several metacognitive tools for the writing…

This paper describes the effect of cultural context on the content of kindergarten curriculum in Poland, chronicling the historical changes from Communist to post-Soviet, capitalist cultures. Soviet cultural influence on early childhood education from 1945 to 1989 is described as affecting a single obligatory curriculum, strict government control,…

This paper presents a critical qualitative account and analysis of resistance and contestation over the decision-making process in a special education program. The parties involved were four parent advocates, who formed an advocacy organization, and the school administration in a rural school district in the Midwest. A subtle but powerful bias…

The persistent underrepresentation of women and people of color in science and mathematics education and careers remains a challenge to all who champion the commitment of equity and excellence in education. This is the first publication in a series produced by the Science and Mathematics Education unit at the Northwest Regional Educational…

This manual provides examples of how Service Learning can be integrated into the adult education curriculum. The integration of activities can add real-life experiences to the academic curriculum and help create the capacity for students to improve their school and community. The three types of service activities include: (1) direct activities…

This curriculum consists of three modules designed to provide AmeriCorps members with a foundation for learning conflict resolution skills. A trainer's guide identifies training goals, defines terms, and describes curriculum structure and delivery, training format, trainer's role, and follow-up. Modules I and II each require about 9 hours and…

This study (reported in separate English and Spanish versions) used a qualitative approach to identify the supportive parental behaviors of academically successful children from low income families in Even Start programs, from the parents', teachers', and children's perspectives. The sample contained 12 low income parents who had one or more…

The learner-centered approach to second language education is presented as one that takes into account the learning goals, subjective needs, and culturally-based expectations learners bring with them to the language classroom. First, both formative and current trends in learner-centered language teaching are examined, and the principle of active…

This project, "First Teachers," studied urban African-American families' perceptions of an after school involvement program which incorporates family storytelling and writing using computers. The project also examined the development and maintenance of university partnerships with inner-city school families, families' interaction and…

This digest summarizes studies that provide evidence that youth with multiple and severe risks in their lives can develop into confident and competent adults; and discusses the critical role schools can play in this process of development. Resilience is the term used to describe a set of qualities that foster a process of successful adaptation and…

The Community College Student Experiences Questionnaire (CCSEQ) is designed to determine how community college students spend their time and the quality of effort that they put into the learning process. This updated manual describes elements of the CCSEQ and presents findings from 56 community colleges that have administered the questionnaire as…

This book compiles statements by young people (mostly from the United States) describing the primary issues they face as adolescents and how they cope with them, and incorporates a range of expert information to respond to these concerns. Chapters are: (1) "Body," covering topics of acne, body image, dieting and eating disorders, disabilities,…

This report describes a project to research and create a lesson book and audiotape cassette to help adult English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) learners acquire specific language skills, vocabulary, and oral practice for communicating confidently and effectively with their children's teachers. The report describes the procedures for development and…