A study compared the writing productivity, syntactic maturity, vocabulary, and mechanics of 48 learning-disabled and 48 normally achieving students in grades 4, 8, and 11. Learning-disabled students' written products were shorter, contained fewer sentences with more words per sentence, included fewer long words, and had more spelling and…

Describes an outdoor summer enrichment program for rural elementary and middle school students. Examines activities that teach language arts skills through outdoor education content: student journals, daily vocabulary development exercises, instructional word games, critical discussions of relevant books, and a student newspaper containing field…

A survey of existing Canadian citizenship programs collected information regarding courses, students, staffing requirements, funding, governmental contact, instructional materials, and perceived needs. Recommendations based on findings are presented regarding networking, materials development, instructor training, funding, and bilingual classes.…

Identifies children from Amish and conservative Mennonite cultures as limited English proficient and English as a second language children. Describes the cultural and linguistic barriers that present problems to these children in rural public schools. Suggests ways to facilitate public school recognition of these pupils as at-risk learners.…

A part-time pilot program to meet the needs of gifted underachievers successfully demonstrated increased self-esteem, satisfaction in school, and acceptable school behavior among identified students. Gains in reading and language were extraordinary; gains were less remarkable in mathematics. Results were not teacher-specific and were generalized.…

Discusses the role of visual and auditory processing in children's comprehension of television programs. Literature is reviewed that addresses the visual superiority effect and auditory stimuli, examines the linguistic complexity of television programs, and makes suggestions for further research. (29 references) (LRW)

Describes a photography and local history project developed by students in a seventh grade language arts class. Discusses the project's success as reflected by student motivation and progress in writing skills. (SV)

States that constructivism is a theory of knowledge which asserts that knowledge is not primarily received, but actively built, and that the function of cognition is adaptive and serves the organization of the experiential world. Gives a brief history and discusses impact of the constructivist approach. (RT)

Describes two computer programs used to aid in data analysis: (1) Develops a method for the propagation of error involving the direct calculation of the error in the dependent variable using a spreadsheet; (2) Examines a simple numerical method for solving complex equilibria. Lists a FORTRAN 77 program. (MVL)

Reports on an American College Testing Program survey of academically superior college freshmen. Indicates that they found high school journalism classes to have fulfilled language arts competencies better than required or elective English courses. (SR)

Evaluates Screening Children for Related Early Educational Needs (SCREEN), a test which assesses beginning skills in oral language, reading, written expression, and math. Concludes that although SCREEN is useful to measure kindergarten or first-grade students at high risk for learning problems, its usefulness at the preschool level is…

Briefly outlines some of the Federal school improvement efforts during the last two dozen years that led to the development of a procedure (here described) to measure the performance of programs for Limited English Proficient students. Results of a field test of the measurement procedure are discussed. (BJV)

Reviews hierarchical linear models that have been developed to address problems of the measurement of change and the unit of analysis in educational research. Introduces a three-level hierarchical model that should constitute the basic paradigm for future quantitative research on student learning. (Author/BJV)

Presents a multilayered analysis of two phases of a lengthy verbal routine ("discussione") among Italian nursery school children. (Author/BJV)

Summarizes drama education research presented at the 1989 International Drama Education Research Symposium in Toronto, Canada. Explores the scope and breadth of current international research and inquiry in the field. (SR)