Studied the effects of interdisciplinary teaming versus departmentalization on student achievement in middle schools. Found no significant differences for reading, math, science, and social studies achievement. Results suggest that team teaching merits further investigation as a potential strategy for mediating the student achievement loss…

Vassar College (New York) has joined with 10 community colleges to encourage students to transfer to the four-year institution. During the summer, groups of students with high academic potential matriculate in two challenging Vassar classes and live together, coping with academic and social adjustments; a large proportion have transferred. Faculty…

As the focus on school improvement at a state education agency moves from mostly a compliance approach to playing a greater role in capacity building, the agency's leadership needs to rethink student and learning supports. That is the focus of this report. Given that almost half of the chief state school officers have assumed their position in the…

Students around the globe have unique first-year experiences but struggle with many of the same challenges. This monograph focuses on their journeys and provides insights for educators interested in learning about how institutions across the globe provide supports to students dealing with first-year transition issues. Based on the successful…

Now for the first time ever, the bestselling, teacher-trusted "Quick-Guides to Inclusion" are available in a single updated and revised volume -- complete with seven all-new Quick-Guides. A resource for busy K-12 teachers who need fast, friendly, and practical guidance on including students with disabilities in general education classrooms, this…

Middle school transitions can cause a decline in academic achievement and motivation in learning for many students. Low income underrepresented students are especially vulnerable to this transition. Parental involvement also tends to decrease during the middle school years. This qualitative study examined the elementary to middle school transition…

Little is known about educational programs referred to as "career pathway programs" that attempt to integrate adult literacy, adult basic education (ABE), General Equivalency Diploma (GED) instruction, English language literacy (ELL), and pre-collegiate developmental education with postsecondary career and technical education (CTE)…

Few of the English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) participants in adult education classes move on to academic ESL programs that prepare them for content area study or general educational development (GED) or high school equivalency instruction. The ESL literacy curriculum is currently mismatched with GED and academic ESL curricula in purpose, content,…

This directory offers a sampling of 74 programs that offer alternatives to traditional special education models for children with disabilities and at-risk children. The programs are classified into nine broad categories of program designs and emphases: (1) alternative curriculum/instructional strategies; (2) instructional management systems; (3)…

Progress in implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and recommendations to further promote its implementation via the 1995 legislative reauthorization process are examined. The purpose of the legislation and major court findings regarding its interpretation are discussed. Ten hearings conducted by the National Council…

This final report describes activities and accomplishments of the Indiana Deaf-Blind Services Project, a 3-year federally funded project to enhance and further develop coordinated direct services to children and youth, birth through age 2 and ages 18 through 21. It also was designed to provide technical assistance to public and private agencies…

This guide is an introduction to head injury and to educational resources in the field. An introductory section describes traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a federally recognized disability category and provides its federal and Idaho definitions. The following section introduces the unique characteristics of students with brain injuries. A section…

This publication, a literature review on effective practices in juvenile correctional education, is intended to challenge all who are in a position to influence the future course of the education of juvenile delinquents. It is based on the conviction that education can and must play a greater role in the lives of delinquent and at-risk youth in…

This booklet provides the program and abstracts of presentations given at the Fourth Canadian-American Conference on the First-Year Experience. It includes a list of the goals of the conference, sponsoring institutions, staff, and general information about the conference. The booklet then provides brief descriptions of the 51 sessions held over…

This monograph provides a compilation of 1985-1993 statistical data on children and youth with disabilities. Data sources included: (1) national surveys that collect economic and social information; (2) national surveys on health status; (3) health surveillance reports; and (4) program and administrative data from federal programs serving…