Middle schools are responsible for preparing young adolescents for high school and helping them develop clear self-concepts and solid values. The nationally recognized Effective Parenting Information for Children (EPIC) program provides workshops for school staff and parents focusing on self-esteem issues and decision-making and problem-solving…

Robert Slavin's position--that extrinsic rewards promote student motivation and learning--may be valid within the context of a "facts-and-skills" curriculum. However, extrinsic rewards are unnecessary when schools offer engaging learning activities; programs addressing social, ethical, and cognitive development; and a supportive…

For a beginning administrator, understanding school culture, maintaining a school's cultural elements, and gaining acceptance for building or changing a school's culture are major challenges. Preparation programs blending understanding about school culture with acknowledgment of four developmental stages in an administrator's professional…

Evaluates developmental effects of first semester of teaching upon beginning rural (n=5) and metropolitan (n=6) teachers who were participating in an inservice program. Teachers participated simultaneously in counselor-led support group and mentoring relationship with an experienced, specifically trained colleague. Findings showed combined groups…

Describes a project conducted by Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) to determine the possibility of establishing indicators to concretely measure the relevance of information to decision-making processes in the context of assistance to developing countries. Use of a computer conference and a workshop to develop a model are…

The Purpose-in-Life Test was given to 415 college students in developmental reading classes. Results were compared to those of studies from 1968 and 1981 to determine any changes in student feelings of apathy and meaninglessness. Means of all groups were approximately equal, indicating no changes in student apathy since 1968. (SLD)

Criticizes current prevention education efforts for retaining characteristics of older quantitative approaches to education. Suggests qualitative approach to prevention education be taken and discusses transactional model of substance abuse based on development of the child within both social and family context. Recommends approach that draws…

A promising, increasingly popular model for English learners is one-way developmental bilingual education (DBE). DBE is appropriate in districts with large numbers of students of one primary language heritage. A well-implemented DBE program accelerates all students' growth through a meaningful, relevant, bicultural grade-level curriculum. (11…

Reports on a method of curriculum design which allows student empowerment while simultaneously promoting essential literacy skills in a developmental-education course. States that students designed their own curriculum through the use of collaborative groups and peer decision making. Finds students continued to sharpen literacy skills throughout…

Teachers and longitudinal researchers have observed that the long-term benefits of participating in a quality early childhood program are more social than academic. Early childhood is a unique stage of life, not an opportunity for intervention and remediation. Kindergarten and first-grade environments should be flexible, activity-oriented, and…

Describes a two-year study to determine the relationship between initial evaluations of student placement essays and progress in a developmental writing course sequence at a midsize university. Finds a positive relationship and presents the methodology as a model for assessment, citing its adaptability, minimal costs, and improved program…

I studied how the grade point averages (GPA, a post-enrollment descriptor) of first-year developmental education students relate to two pre-enrollment descriptors: students' Academic Aptitude Ratings (AAR, a pre-enrollment criterion) and students' voluntary or forced attendance at a mandatory summer-orientation program. Students who involuntarily…

The issues and challenges posed to leaders by cultural differences and human diversity are not being addressed adequately in leadership education. In this article, the author proposes the concept of intercultural consciousness for inclusion in leadership training. He identifies the requisite domains of knowledge and skills associated with…

Assumptions: Today, when technology has taken its place in almost all classrooms in schools and colleges across the country, there is a need to know how technology "influences the mathematics that is taught and enhances students' learning" (NCTM, 2000, p. 24). Rationale: This presentation describes qualitative study which purpose was to…

This report summarizes key findings from the literature on effective developmental education practice. It is designed to promote discussion among community college educators and state agency staff in Connecticut as they consider how to improve outcomes for their many students who are academically unprepared to succeed in college. One common theme…