One form of educational inequity faced by most students is that schools recognize only linguistic and logical intelligence and do not allow for forms of intelligence expressed through the arts. The performance-based assessments of the Kentucky Education Reform Act and the Kentucky Basic Arts pilot program address the multiple intelligences of…

This article describes the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Third Edition, an assessment designed to test preschool children in vocabulary acquisition, screen both for giftedness and mental retardation, and measure English language proficiency in individuals for whom English is not a primary language. Its administration, standardization,…

The formation of cooperative programs in the French and German departments of Northern State University (South Dakota), South Dakota State University, and the University of South Dakota is described, including language enrollment trends, state-level expectations and directives, curriculum restructuring, introduction of new technologies, and…

Describes a teacher-driven, teacher-defined professional-development process designed to create an immigrant-responsive high school. The project involved English-as-a-Second-Language and content teachers who collaborated to improve students' literacy. They examined other models, their own needs, and student data, then created an accelerated…

Discusses issues related to online courses. Highlights include virtual high schools; online learning environments; changing teacher roles; changing student roles; library media centers, resources, and library media specialists; characteristics of quality online courses; online library science and school media programs; copyright; intellectual…

Examined teachers' beliefs on what constitutes developmentally appropriate literacy instruction. Three teachers were interviewed, observed during planning and instruction time, and asked to reflect on their beliefs and practicing. Through practice, they came to believe that appropriate literacy instruction involves a variety of instructional…

A five-year study of college classroom incivilities (CI) in large survey courses at a large research university found the most problematic to be teachers displaying aloof, distancing mannerisms; teachers discouraging student involvement with fast-paced lectures; student noisiness and indifference; students coming late, leaving early; and students'…

Addresses five questions concerning special education for students with disabilities: Why are so many students considered disabled? What are their educational needs? How should appropriate, individualized services be funded? Are Individuals with Disabilities Education Act's procedural protections necessary? and Can regular education meet needs of…

Describes design and use of the PBL Evaluator, a computer-based method of evaluating dental students' clinical problem-solving skills. Analysis of Indiana University students' self-, peer, and tutor ratings for one iteration of a course in critical thinking and professional behavior shows differences in these ratings. The method is found useful…

Describes a university/high school/manufacturing company collaboration that offers alternative education to at-risk students. Students spend 20 hours per week as apprentices and 20 hours in the classroom at the manufacturing site, receiving pay for hours. After 2 successful years, they earn a high school diploma and have useful skills, improved…

Examines effects of an afterschool science program on minority female students' attitudes toward science, engineering, and mathematics. The program, which incorporated cooperative learning, lands-on activities, mentoring, and role models, positively influenced participants' attitudes to (and subsequent participation in) these subject areas.…

Discusses the centers of language in the brain and the critical period for language acquisition. Explains developmental milestones of language development--receptive language, babbling, short phrases, full sentences--in the context of brain development. Emphasizes parents' role in language development, including talking to the child, dialogic…

The curriculum for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students in high school is primarily devoted to improving English language skills such as vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, and speaking. Although knowledge and comprehension of these skills are critical for success not only throughout school but also for life choices and…

Early childhood educators and school personnel increasingly will be working with children and families from diverse economic, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds. While the student population is rapidly becoming diverse, the teaching force remains predominantly White and from middle-class backgrounds (Whitebook, 2003). This growing…

McNamee and Chen describe the Bridging assessment system they developed to measure performance on specific learning tasks for pre-K through 3rd-grade students. Bridging assesses an individual student's skill level on learning tasks in five curricular areas: language arts and literacy, visual arts, mathematics, science, and performing arts. The…