A postsecondary degree or credential is increasingly important in the U.S. economy, both for new entrants into the labor force and those already employed. Working adults who want to succeed in this economic climate are pursuing a college education in increasing numbers. Adult students have unique needs that differ from traditional-age, residential…

Narrative counseling is based on the premise that stories, rather than hard-nosed realities, shape our lives. By changing the stories that negatively label and define students, they are helped to open up new avenues and opportunities. In this second edition of their best-selling book, the authors present even more case studies, guidance, and…

The readings in this ready-reference report on specific program evaluations, offer critical guidance in the development and utilization of instruments for assessing gifted and talented programs, and are designed to stimulate the discussion of issues surrounding the evaluation of gifted programs. Key features include: (1) Carolyn M. Callahan's…

Children benefit when their parents or caregivers are actively involved in their out-of-school learning. Yet a new report by the Harvard Family Research Project and United Way of Massachusetts Bay finds that only a quarter of programs surveyed had effectively incorporated families. This guide, funded by the Wallace Foundation under its Parents and…

Following the growing commitment to assessment at the undergraduate level, doctoral programs are now grappling with what accountability means for them. This book provides a foundation for faculty and academic leaders of doctoral programs to promote inquiry into the educational practices that define their programs and contribute to graduate…

The contributors to this volume believe that learners do not learn in isolation but absorb what is around them. This book includes practical applications and case studies used to make literary teachings come alive in varied ESL/EFL classroom settings around the world. This book brings to life the organic connection between literature and language…

This book explores the challenges of implementing and assessing educational interventions in varied classroom contexts. Included are reflections on the challenges of designing studies for improving the instructional core of schools, guidelines for establishing evidence of interventions' impacts across a wide range of settings, and an assessment of…

Despite the benefits of literacy for individuals, communities, and nations, a vast number of people remain illiterate. This publication will enable readers to understand the current literacy challenge and the United Nations Literacy Decade Plan of Action, to learn about the potential of using ICT as an effective literacy tools, and to appreciate…

This qualitative case study investigated a large, suburban, public middle school focusing on educators' perceptions of leadership within their professional learning community. Participants included the principal, administrative team, and key faculty members. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and were analyzed by hand coding and…

Effective building leadership and time utilization are important to the success of implementing change. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe the experiences of an urban junior high school principal involved in a collaborative change effort. Specifically studied were the principal's actions, behavior, communication, and…

This research project examined how educational facilities are perceived and used by the occupants. It sought to inform the design of effective learning environments in elementary schools through a heightened awareness of the needs of the occupants and an understanding of how they use their school facilities. Project objectives included the…

This theoretical paper explores the nature of narrative by examining its key characteristics as a communication tool and an independent mode of thought in the form of a literature review. The first section describes stories or narrative. The second section establishes links between narrative, change, and learning through the concept of…

Internet-based, distance learning solutions are finding increased use and may prove effective in facilitating advanced study coursework for remotely located, place-bound students. Despite the current emphasis on distance learning, the conditions for promoting online learning success have not been entirely defined. This paper presents a case study…

This paper examines issues in the postsecondary education of students with brain injuries. It defines the categories of brain injury and describes the impact on an individual's ability to learn and to live independently. Appropriate learning tools and strategies to help these students succeed in postsecondary education are discussed. The paper…

Preservice teachers in an Educational Psychology course wrote cases about their field placements and analyzed the cases using perspectives from the learning sciences. The course helped student teachers use the learning sciences to enhance instruction. It engaged them in collaborative problem solving which required them to use theory as a tool for…