Describes how five elementary and secondary schools have successfully altered the traditional school schedule in order to develop greater educational quality. These schools give examples of using time more flexibly, allowing teachers to help slower students, helping teachers polish their lessons and go deeper into their disciplines, and providing…

Presents study results on the effects of students working in pairs on spelling in three different grades. Explains that students working individually were compared to students working in pairs. Reports less off-task behavior for the younger students working in pairs. Concludes that effort increases in pair work, but achievement increased only at…

This examination of reading in New Zealand classrooms found that deaf children (n=45, ages 5-10) spent very low amounts of time engaged in reading and were subjected to teacher interactions that may inhibit the development of meaning-based reading skills. Case studies showed that more time spent reading led to greater reading achievement.…

Two studies, each involving four intermediate grade students with learning disabilities, examined the differential effects of attention monitoring and performance monitoring on spelling study behaviors and story writing behaviors. Both interventions had a positive impact; neither was clearly or consistently superior to the other. (Author/JDD)

Reports findings of a study that investigated fifth and sixth graders' attending and participating behaviors during mathematics. Some students, especially low achievers, manifested passivity in cooperative small groups. Some possible reasons for this behavior are suggested, and a categorization of types of passivity is provided. (Author/SM)

This article reviews the literature on curriculum-based assessment (CBA) with students who have special education needs. Features of CBA common to various approaches and contributing most to its instructional effectiveness include teachers' evaluative attitudes and behaviors, focus and sustained attention on student performance, and facilitation…

Improving student achievement hinges on adopting effective, research-based learning practices and activities. These include parent involvement, graded homework, direct teaching, aligned time on task, tutoring, cooperative learning, mastery learning, and teaching of learning strategies. Three high-achieving schools are profiled. (MLH)

A turnaround school in Mission, Texas proves poverty and underachievement are not synonymous. The 1998 passing rate on state assessments was 90.7 percent, compared to 41.2 percent in 1993. Factors include committed faculty, a strong principal, extended reading practice and instructional time, incentives and recognition, and pre-assessment…

Describes a study of college students that investigated whether various types of visual illustrations influenced abstract concept learning when combined with audio instruction. Discusses results of analysis of variance and pretest posttest scores in relation to learning performance, attitudes toward the computer-based program, and differences in…

Discusses principles to use in evaluating online university courses, including student-faculty contact; cooperation among students; active learning, including course projects; prompt feedback; time on task, including the need for deadlines; high expectations; and respecting diverse talents and ways of learning. (LRW)

A 10-year-old student with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, predominately inattentive type, was provided with computer software and a paging device with word prompting capabilities to prompt him to initiate and complete daily tasks. The intervention was effective in promoting the occurrence of target behaviors but did not affect overall…

This article describes positive effects of modifying curricular activities in accordance with the individual interests of three elementary students with disabilities (including autism, mental retardation, and emotional/behavioral disorder). Students exhibited less problem behavior and more on-task responding in the modified activity condition. (DB)

Describes a typology of the use of educational media that includes audience, location, time, interactivity, cost, and training. Compares a variety of educational media including radio, television, CD-ROM, and Internet-based instruction, and concludes that Internet-based instruction has the most potential. (Contains 12 references.) (LRW)

Explored factors underlying elementary children's incorrect task responses in physical education. Data from class observations and student and teacher interviews indicated that children participated in the instructional setting at their own developmental level of understanding and competency, comprehension did not necessarily reflect…

This article discusses the results of a case study that investigated the effectiveness of an auditory prompting system, using earphones and a cassette, to improve on-task job performance of an adult with mild mental retardation. Guidelines for working with adults and student to improve job and task performance are provided. (Contains references.)…