Recounts the author's experiences as he developed a love for reading in elementary school, discovered in high school the element of power that reading held, and endured isolation in college. Describes his work with struggling African-American adolescent readers. (SR)

Argues that student consumerism (faculty acquiescence to student demands, grades as biasing teaching evaluations, and grade obsession) is a product of a new historical era -- postmodernism -- and not easily amenable to "ethical teaching" or the use of "responsible authority." Illuminates student consumerism and its challenges to collegiate…

This interview discusses the school-improvement process, describing difficulties with setting schoolwide goals, what should happen once the goal is selected, what prevents schools from emphasizing a single goal and working to achieve it, the need to develop high academic expectations for all students, how to use research, ways to go beyond test…

Examines gender bias in classes teaching English as a second language. Considers the role of teacher expectations in student achievement, especially for the Latina population. Maintains that school administrators and teachers must work together to increase their awareness of gender bias in ESL classes and work to dispel stereotypes. (KB)

Explored the relationships among technology, reform, and equality through quantitative studies at an elite private school and an impoverished public school. Although reforms appeared similar, underlying differences in resources and expectations reinforced patterns by which the two schools channel students into different futures. (Author/SLD)

Explores how schooling serves to perpetuate the social expectations that criminalize urban Latino youth, following a sample of eight junior high school students. Even more than the racism of individual teachers, institutionalized racism stereotypes these students as doomed to fail or destined to be gang members. (SLD)

Ounce of Prevention in Schools, an early intervention program in a Quebec elementary school, includes a family support component to increase parents' involvement and assistance with their children's school work. Interviews showed that, compared to control parents, parents in the program helped their children more with homework but had lower…

Two middle school teachers and two students in each of the teacher's classes were assessed for field dependence-independence (FDI). The teachers were interviewed about their students. Found that one teacher had higher expectations and one had lower expectations for the student who had the same FDI orientation as the teacher than for the student…

Interrogates similarities and misconceptions common to W. Edwards Deming and John Dewey, examining a reconciliation of the two within the context of motivation theory and concluding that Deming and Dewey are very similar in general outlook and the shared belief in the integrity of the individual within the social system. (SM)

A survey of 692 regular and special educators found that teachers selected punishing and exclusionary interventions most often for Asian-American students and least often for Hispanic-American students. Special educators were more likely than regular educators to use behavior interventions. Implications for teacher training, teacher…

Argues that despite academic achievements, the odds are still often stacked against girls within and outside of school. Data from surveys and interviews at English high schools show that though girls have outperformed boys in secondary level examinations, they still feel alienated from traditionally male subjects, career aspirations are still…

Investigates the relationship between students' achievement expectations and academic self-concept and their subsequent achievement in college chemistry. Findings suggest that students' academic self-concept and achievement expectations are significant predictors of overall grade performance whereas prior achievement was the only significant…

The stories of three young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds highlight significant issues in educating gifted students living in poverty. Major themes uncovered included educators who maintained high expectations, the positive influence of enriched teaching-learning opportunities and extracurricular activities, and the success of a…

A study of nine effective secondary school teams teaching students with disabilities found the following characteristics: creating positive learning climates, providing instruction that focuses on active learning, setting and maintaining high expectations, allocating time to plan for the co-teaching process, and finding creative ways to evaluate…

Examined family and individual processes influencing the future expectancies of adolescents from an economically stressed rural community. Found that adolescents' expectancies about adult role transitions diverged from societal norms, with family background and relationships, adolescents' attitudes and behaviors, and educational aspirations…