This report provides an end-of-year summative evaluation of the STEPS (Striving Toward Excellence in the Performance of Students) program, which was first implemented in elementary schools in 1983-84. The program, which is based on research on effective schools, focuses on school improvement efforts in six areas: (1) aligning instruction with…

Intended to highlight the importance of including families and members of the broader community in children's learning, this report discusses the role of businesses and employers in helping partners and family members be more involved in children's learning. The introduction, "Making Family Involvement in Learning a Goal" notes the three…

This booklet is a practical guide to the use of games, role play, and simulation in the classroom to encourage active learning and increase opportunities for experience and reflection. Basic principles for use of these techniques are presented and include determining the game objective, planning for progressive learning processes, planning a…

This case study of a university-school collaborative project examines the roles that seventh grade language arts students can play in classroom curricular decision making, the degree to which a teacher can negotiate with students about content, and how both students and teacher are able to balance the dynamics of control and responsibility for…

The Middle Level Demonstration School of the New York City Public Schools, in operation since September 1991, is committed to creating a middle school in which both students and teachers are active participants in a supportive learning community characterized by high standards, mutual respect, and cooperation. Parents are seen as important members…

Students from Lafayette High School and Pershing Intermediate School in Brooklyn, New York who were of Spanish and Cantonese linguistic backgrounds (and who scored at or below the 40th percentile on the Language Assessment Battery) received intensive instruction in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) and native language arts (NLA) in Spanish or…

This survey, based on interviews with a national sample of 1,000 public school teachers, focuses on American teachers' reaction to President Clinton's education proposals put forward during his campaign for the presidency. In order not to bias responses to the survey, no reference was made to President Clinton before or during the interview.…

This program guide identifies primary concerns in the organization, operation, and evaluation of a basic cabinetmaking and millwork program. The guide begins with the Dictionary of Occupational Titles occupational description. A section on program content presents the curriculum framework that contains major concepts/content, laboratory…

This program guide identifies primary concerns in the organization, operation, and evaluation of a cabinet making and millwork program. The guide begins with the Dictionary of Occupational Titles occupational description. A section on program content presents the curriculum framework that contains major concepts/content, laboratory activities,…

Policy planners can create improved systems of care and new support systems for rural families who are raising children with disabling conditions or special health care needs, by recognizing the unique needs of these families, the ecology of local service delivery systems, and the special resource requirements of rural areas. Lack of information…

This book examines schools' legal responsibility for providing equal educational opportunities for children with disabilities. It analyzes the six principles of special education law: (1) zero reject, or the right of every child to be included in a free appropriate publicly supported educational system; (2) nondiscriminatory classification; (3)…

This document reports on the tenor and outcomes of the National Issues Forums held in 1991-92 on three issues. The report draws upon three resources: short participant questionnaires, descriptions from groups' convenors, and detailed analysis of the taped proceedings of 10 groups. The report is organized in three sections, each consisting of a…

A method for evaluating and improving the secondary school environment for limited-English-proficient students is presented. The first section outlines research findings about elements in the school context, curriculum, and staffing found effective in serving LEP students. Desirable factors in the school context include: valuing of students'…

This book serves as a guide for Australian parents who want to take an active role in the mathematics learning of their children. It presents material so that families will learn, think, and talk about mathematics. Many family-life lessons, such as weighing out ingredients for a cake or choosing the best route to the zoo, are presented. The book…

This report summarizes recommendations for encouraging physical activity among young people so they will continue to engage in physical activity in adulthood and obtain the benefits of physical activity throughout life. The guidelines are based on an in-depth review of research, theory, and current practice in physical education, exercise science,…