Based on the "Educational Software Preview Guide," this article discusses trends; lists selected software titles related to the Internet, arts, multilingualism and multiculturalism, multimedia and edutainment, and authentic experience, cross curricular and alternative assessment; and describes how to conduct a software evaluation…

Policymakers are exploring whether schools should be allocated state funds as rewards for improving student achievement and other performance indicators. Team-based rewards specified in 14 states' statutes represent a limited form of performance-based school finance. This article examines financial rewards in four states and makes policy…

Parents, students, and administrators want computer literate teachers with specific skills: basic computer operation; file management; word processing; spreadsheet, database, graphics, hypermedia, and network use; and student assessment. This article presents the graduated performance indicators (rubrics) developed for teachers in the Mankato Area…

A Utah State University study examined the relationship of grades awarded to students and student evaluations of the teacher but adding the variable of instructional level. In lower-division and upper-division undergraduate courses, correlations between grades and ratings were positive. In graduate courses, the grade-rating correlation was…

Though performance assessment has its place, it is not always appropriate. Standardized testing is sometimes preferable. The paper describes states' roles in shaping statewide student testing, discusses state assessment to compare schools and school systems, and suggests that improving teaching environments and increasing the value attached to…

Describes efforts to help teachers learn to use new math and reading assessments in their classrooms, highlighting characteristics of professional development that successfully foster change in teachers' ideas and practice. After describing a multi-year staff development/research project on assessment, the paper discusses factors that support and…

Explains use of quality circles, a system of regular faculty meetings with students to discuss how a course is going, in law courses. Argues that quality circles give constructive criticism of teaching, let teachers counter criticisms and explain methods, help with diversity issues, offer a mechanism for criticizing students, and give students a…

Describes a multifaceted intervention program for high-risk nursing students, indicating that it provides reading guides, active learning techniques, and master tutors. Discusses outcomes from the first year of implementation, highlighting positive results for the master tutors, learning contracts, and reading guides. Reviews future program…

Comparison of middle-school-age students with learning disabilities, grouped according to their self-reported ratings of scholastic competence, found significant differences between the low subgroup and the medium/high subgroups on internal locus of control for positive events, school attitudes, and global self-worth. Subgroups did not differ in…

Recommends and describes specific software programs for children based on a review of 1800 titles. Includes recommendations for preschoolers in the areas of language, math, logic, science, art, creativity, and all-purpose. Presents choices for early elementary students including reading, writing, math, logic, science, social studies, creativity,…

Guides child care centers when investing in outdoor play structures and playground equipment with advice provided by manufacturers and dealers. Details six factors to consider, including appropriateness, construction, installation, safety, support, and experience. Contains a playground equipment manufacturers and dealers directory that includes…

Compares academic performance between two groups of students in a statistics course. One group was given homework generated by computer software that provided feedback concerning incorrect answers. The other relied on the textbook without benefit of the feedback. The group using the software performed better on homework and tests. (MJP)

Provides three samples of assessment strategies to be used in conjunction with the "National Standards for Music Education" from the recently published, "Performance for Standards, Grades Pre-K12: Strategies and Benchmarks for Assessing Progress Towards the National Standards." The samples include assessments for grades K-4,…

The role of psychosocial variables (emotional intelligence quotient, bicultural behaviors, locus of control, and social support) in facilitating academic resilience was studied with 104 African American male college students from urban areas, 50 of whom were classified "resilient." Only emotional intelligence quotient was a significant contributor…

Discusses relationships among selected aspects of parental involvement as they relate to the cognitive, affective, and performance outcomes of instrumental music students. Discovers that for cognitive musical and musical performance outcomes parental influence is strongest at the elementary level. For affective outcomes parental involvement…