Given the decline in birth rates, which will produce a steep decline in the youth population by 1990, this paper examines the possible effects such a population shift will have on the achievement motivation of children. It is reasoned the increased adult/child ratio could result in either of two possibilities: the greater attention paid to the…

This longitudinal study explored (1) the power of the mother relative to affect achievement behaviors and achievement test outcomes in a sample of low-income black youth; (2) the potential role of teacher evaluation in these outcomes; and (3) the relationship between self-esteem and achievement orientation to a child's academic performance. From…

The rationale for and development of the Classroom Behavior Scales (CRB) are discussed in connection with applications on four separate samples of Head Start, kindergarten and first grade children. Studies of observer agreement, stability, structure, comparisons over sex, classes, conditions, observers and over time are presented. Results showed…

This report continues the evaluation of Title I (ESEA 1965, PL 89-10) programs and services in the District of Columbia. Four areas of concern were: The effects of Title I funds on (a) student performance, (b) dropout rates; and the most effective programs in terms of (c) measurable pupil gains, and (d) most gain per dollar spent. Teacher…

The research is clear that parents' involvement in their child's education improves outcomes in areas such as learning, attendance, behavior, and graduation rates. Although almost any parent involvement brings improvements in student outcomes, parent involvement with their child's learning at home is most helpful in increasing student learning.…

The KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Diamond (Daring Individual Achievers Making Outstanding New Dreams) Academy, housed in Cypress Junior High School in Memphis, Tennessee, opened in the summer of 2002. KIPP goals include enhancement of academic achievement and promotion of positive student leadership through an innovative redesign of…

This paper summarises the main results of the research-based evaluation of the Norwegian Manifesto against bullying. Besides schools, the evaluation was to include bullying also in kindergartens and publicly organised leisure activities. Furthermore, the work in Manifesto was to be covered on national, regional and local levels. The goal setting…

Houston, Texas, was one of the cities awarded a grant via the Annenberg funds to implement school reforms. It developed the Houston Annenberg Challenge with local collaborators to initiate and nurture systemic change, thus improving education. A research and evaluation study investigated how funded schools implemented the reform initiative, what…

This volume contains 14 essays and commentaries on youth development penned by educators, policymakers, and leaders of youth development organizations. The papers, written to commemorate 10 years of American Youth Policy Forum's service, were originally presented at a forum in Washington, D.C., in January 2003. Following are the papers:…

This book is designed to help teachers become more knowledgeable, skilled, and effective in their work, explaining the importance of understanding students' interests, learning styles, and backgrounds in order to meet their unique needs and describing why having the ability to manage the learning environment, motivate students, and teach is itself…

This study was designed to explore the ways in which preservice teachers' reflective judgment levels influenced their perceptions of and decisions about complex and ill-defined dilemmas they encountered in their field placement classrooms. Participants were ten traditional-aged juniors in a college teacher preparation program who were completing a…

Choosing Higher Options in Community Education (CHOICE) Alternative School is devoted to professional development. This report documents the need for and planning of sustained and supported professional development for 4 staff members at the CHOICE Alternative School in Jamestown, New York. There was no focused plan or vision for staff development…

As part of the program evaluation and review process at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) in Illinois, a follow-up study was conducted of 433 Business Transfer (BT's) students who had taken Accounting 203; and Accounting Aide (AA's) majors who attended Harper sometime between fall 1988 and summer 1993. A survey received a 40% response rate for…

This paper presents a collection of studies that examine interactions in preschool and school settings around the time of school entry. The studies are loosely organized around five themes: (1) differences between intended and experienced curricula, and intended and experienced patterns of interaction; (2) contingent and responsive nature of…

This report presents findings on a series of surveys conducted from 1998 through 2002. The findings: (1) Parents, teachers, and students believe that setting standards and enforcing them promotes learning; (2) standards and promotion policies have changed in recent years, and attitudes about local schools have improved; (3) the majority of parents…