This study used data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study (NELS) to analyze critical issues affecting the preparation and diversity of the postsecondary applicant pool. Participants were 14,914 respondents, including 1,685 African Americans, who completed all four waves of the NELS. Overall, about two-thirds of all students expected to…

The major purpose of the second field test of the AEL MSCI instrument was to assess the psychometric properties of the refined version with a larger, more diverse group of respondents. The first objective of this field test was to expand the four-point Likert-type response scale to six points in order to yield more variance in responses. The…

This paper asserts that the tenets of a constructivist educational philosophy best meet the needs of special needs students (e.g., those who are limited English speaking, bilingual, low income, and homeless). The first section presents the tenets of a constructivist teaching philosophy. The second section discusses the implementation of best…

Noting that school provides one of the most important arenas for interactive processes that are crucial to children's healthy social development, this book examines the social, educational, and developmental psychology of the school environment, focusing on peer relationships and teacher-student interactions. The book demonstrates the complexities…

Special writing problems faced by English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) adult literacy students are examined, and an approach to the individual teacher-student writing conference is proposed. Four conference components are distinguished, and suggestions are made for handling each: oral interaction; engaging the student in dialogue before reading the…

This paper provides an overview of the research base on fostering educational resilience among children whose circumstances place them at risk of educational failure-- particularly in inner-city communities. The purpose of this paper is twofold: (1) to provide an overview of the research base on fostering educational resilience among children…

Pio Pico Elementary School, Santa Ana (California), is a public school that provides a rigorous academic program for every one of its low income Latino students by embracing the multifaceted offerings of the community in a spirit of equity for all, inside and outside the classroom. This qualitative study explores the complexities of Pio Pico…

Research studies that have focused on identifying the characteristics or correlates of elementary and secondary schools that are unusually effective are reviewed, concentrating on the "effective schools" movement. Research on effective schools supports the conclusion that they rank high on certain characteristics frequently referred to as…

This book examines the expectancy effect (or self-fulfilling prophecy) on student achievement. One of its main purposes is to take a broader look at for whom, where, when, and how expectancy effects take place and what consequences they have for children in school. Chapter 1 presents a case study of educational expectancy of a learning-disabled…

This report summarizes the responses of students in two Philadelphia high schools to the second year of implementation of the Talent Development comprehensive school reform model. Both schools served low-income, predominantly African American and Hispanic American students. The Talent Development model was intended to improve schools facing…

The schools that Head Start participants enter may have very different methods and attitudes than were present in Head Start, and a different approach to working with children and families. While Head Start programs are seldom in a position to bring about changes in the public schools, Head Start parents can be a powerful force for school change.…

U.S. junior high school students in grades 7 and 8 (N=226) responded to survey items on their self-esteem and interest in schoolwork, their personal expectancy of completing high school, and perceived support from their teachers, parents, and peers for this expectancy. Their grade point average (GPA) and attendance data were obtained from school…

There have been few initiatives addressing the improvement of science education for students with disabilities. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Biotechnology Works is a summer institute in immunology and genetics for students with disabilities, high school science teachers, and high school counselors. During the 1998 summer session,…

Despite an enormous investment in equalizing educational opportunities for all Americans, substantial evidence indicates that significant inequities remain, particularly for low-socioeconomic-status (SES) students. The report draws on an extensive review of the current research literature and contributes new analyses of national databases to fill…

Maintains that middle school is a crucial time to select challenging courses to maximize the high school experience and to open the widest range of choices for college and careers. Advocates college preparatory mathematics and science courses and describes a tool kit to help schools improve mathematics achievement. Suggests raising community and…