In one college course in colonial history, students read and review one of several designated books, then share their reviews with small groups at the culmination of study of that topic. Discussion groups then answer and discuss synthesis questions about the books. Student response to the approach has been positive. (MSE)

Describes a college English-as-a-Second-Language curriculum model based on a whole-language approach that is presented to stimulate others to review and revise their own curriculum. (25 references) (GLR)

Asserts that novice writers have little control over the composition process. Reports on 72 fourth graders who worked individually and in pairs with a computer-based composition program. Finds that students with better prior composition skills working individually benefited most from computer prompts. (CFR)

Anecdotes relate how a physical education teacher at a Canadian adolescent-treatment-center school with a high percentage of Native students developed a meaningful program by listening to, learning from, and working with her students. Contains 21 references. (TD)

Examines the nature of a middle school classroom during the development of a community of learners by focusing on teacher/student interactions and the connections made by students with people outside of the classroom. Finds that the teacher's role is critical in creating a community of learners. Contains 54 references. (Author/WRM)

Examines how lower-track science students understand shifts in standard classroom discourse patterns. Finds that students insert struggles for social status into classroom arguments about scientific ideas, making it difficult to separate in a group discussion whether evidence or the social politics of the class convinces students to accept an…

Reports a case study of how organizational culture relates to the issue of sexual orientation at a Catholic college, focusing on cultural barriers facing lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals and the cultural dynamics that contribute to the failure to change the culture of the institution. Implications are drawn for practitioners and suggestions…

Used ethnographic methods to examine, over six months, the relationship between gender and open-ended computer software use to compose stories for 36 first graders. Found that females in mixed-gender groups were more likely to have their competence or work laughed at or criticized than when working alone or in all-female groups. Females used…

A psychoeducational support group program was established for aging parents of 30 adult offspring with developmental disabilities, of whom 17 resided with the parents. This article describes the program's development, parents' self-reported objectives for participating, comparison of parents with and parents without their offspring at home, and…

Describes a workshop designed to raise teachers' awareness of potential obstacles to student comprehension of test questions. The article presents the practical problems among the staff that created the workshop, describes the workshop, and presents its limitations and advantages as well as broader implications for issues such as curriculum…

Describes the situational complexity of the "Coalition for Education That Is Multicultural," a teacher development group of continuous inquiry into practice by reflective practitioners interested in resistance and collective social action. Interviews with and observations of female members over six months provide information on vision,…

Evaluated the West Alabama Learning Coalition, a rural, multi-institutional organization, as perceived by member professionals in schools, universities, community colleges, businesses, and social-service agencies. Respondents viewed the coalition as a dynamic, organic, and creative entity fostering synergy, shared leadership, and…

Graduate student persistence is related to previous educational experiences of the student, faculty, and departmental support staff and resulting interpersonal dynamics between these three parts of the "academic triad." Any graduate student can be rendered academically incompetent by lack of necessary mentoring support. Graduate student…

Fewer job opportunities, rising violence, and failing schools have all shaped the structure of opportunities for both youth and adults in urban communities. However, researchers understand very little about how these factors influence the capacity for adults in urban communities to form meaningful partnerships with youth. First, this article…

LEGO[C] building materials have been adapted as a therapeutic modality for increasing motivation to participate in social skills intervention, and providing a medium through which children with social and communication handicaps can effectively interact. A 3 year retrospective study of long-term outcome for autistic spectrum children participating…