Describes a project that is developing an intelligent search intermediary to help users locate relevant passages in large full text databases. (The system automatically reformulates Boolean queries to improve search results and presents retrieved passages in decreasing order of estimated relevance.) The current status of the project and plans for…

Describes a pilot study in which a single database was constructed to provide access by both descriptors and cited references. For each query, two equivalent sets were retrieved and evaluated for relevance to the query. It is concluded that using both search methods can increase both recall and precision. (32 references) (CLB)

To address early care and education challenges, this article outlines some concrete strategies illustrated by several programs, including ALERTA (a multicultural, bilingual approach), the Maryland Certification-Accreditation Project, the High/Scope training of Teacher-Trainers System, a Florida community collaboration project, and the Kennedy…

Students in a dozen school districts across the nation are learning about Third World cultures through a pilot program recognizing the districts as Leaders in Developmental Education. The three-year project will produce a resource manual for other districts interested in enhancing instruction about developing nations. Participating districts are…

Junior Great Books Curriculum model uses interpretive discussion within the reading process to help students of all reading abilities understand literature, or construct inferential and thematic meaning from their reading. Program was piloted in third-grade classes in 13 Chicago schools between 1989 and 1991. The model's cornerstone is the…

This article describes the development and structure of a self-advocacy training program, the Self-Advocacy Leadership Training Institute, to help individuals with disabilities to exercise choice in vocational rehabilitation services and in other areas of life. A pilot program and two institutes were conducted, resulting in the training of 36…

Discusses the evaluation of WETLANDS, an environmental science distance education pilot project that linked science teachers and students in 26 secondary level schools. Results show that students understand the importance of environmental issues and appreciate the value of wetlands. Evaluation forms are appended. (JMV)

Describes the development and pilot program implementation of an online campus information service at the University of California at Berkeley called Infocal. Highlights include the establishment of an advisory committee; target audience; control; quality; confidentiality; legal issues; commercial information; policies; computer power; and…

Describes workplace literacy pilot programs carried out by the National Automotive Language and Literacy Coordination Unit in the Australian automotive industry. Discusses their systematic and integrated approach to language and literacy issues within the context of accredited mainstream training rather than via separate bridging or remedial…

Describes a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) program used to teach DOS commands. Pretest and posttest results for 65 graduate students using the program are reported, and it is concluded that the CAI program significantly aided the students. Sample screen displays for the program and several questions from the pre/posttest are included. (nine…

In California, the regional partnership structure is being used to support implementation of recommendations for middle level school reform. The partnership's loose structure allows flexibility in financial contribution and opportunities to solicit paying partners from the local community. A support network or forum allows individuals and schools…

The Education Development Center of Newton, Massachusetts, recently pilot tested Make It Happen, an interdisciplinary, inquiry-based learning approach designed to integrate technology into the middle school curriculum while actively engaging students in their own instruction. The I-Search process reflects students' personal concerns and promotes…

Describes a management-development program aimed at developing managerial skills and responsibilities across the whole staff of a Welsh secondary school. Explains the reasons for possible antipathy to this inservice training topic. The project used teachers' current managerial tasks so that teachers, in conjunction with self-study materials, could…

Although current middle-level philosophy recommends a carefully planned transition between schools, many elementary school students continue to leave cohesive, self-contained classrooms for quasi-departmentalized middle schools with continuously changing class membership. A two-phase pilot study showed that (male) students in a constant-membership…

South Carolina's Teacher Cadet Program, an "experiencing education" class offered to proficient high school students, is helping attract top students to teaching and is renewing teachers without exhausting them. The course enables students and teachers to engage in profound discussions about growing up and stimulates critical analysis of…