This practicum was designed to get parents of third grade students more involved in the math homework process. The primary goal was to enlist parents' help at home in the teaching of responsibility and time-management skills, and in the monitoring of the completion and return of this homework. A second aim was to increase the students' overall…

This report contains the results of a 1986 public opinion poll concerning public schools. This annual survey, using a modified probability sample of the United States population, posed questions on the following topics: (1) the most important problems with which schools must deal; (2) drug use in schools; (3) grading of schools and their teachers;…

This paper demonstrates the use of teacher-made and parent-made instructional games to practice basic skills, as an alternative to traditional homework assignments. The game formats provide mainstreamed mildly handicapped students with the additional practice necessary to achieve mastery, in an environment that is more motivating and allows for…

In response to the National Commission on Excellence in Education Report, the McHenry Community High School District in Illinois analyzed its current high school programs. The analysis is presented under five areas: (1) instructional programs; (2) student services; (3) district planning, facility, and fiscal programs; (4) athletic and cocurricular…

This article describes 1) the special features and accessibility of an innovative web-based practice instrument (WebMA) designed with randomized short-answer, matching and multiple choice items incorporated with automatically adapted feedback for middle school students; and 2) an exploratory study that compares the effects and contributions of…

This study examined the predictive association between gender, ethnicity, and homework parental involvement, self-regulated learning processes, and motivational beliefs among 10th grade high school students. It was predicted that students' motivational beliefs and self-regulatory processes would be significant predictors of students' math academic…

This book will answer the following questions for first time teachers: (1) "Where do I start when planning the curriculum?"; and (2) "How do I manage the classroom?" Ten of the best teaching methods are dealt with in detail, helping teachers to: (1) give effective presentations; (2) create visual aids; and (3) guide student talk and thought.…

This action research project evaluated an intervention to improve primary, intermediate, and special education student responsibility in a middle class community located near a metropolitan area in northeastern Illinois. Participating were students in first grade, fourth grade, and communication development classes. Lack of student responsibility…

Noting the importance of establishing a cooperative relationship with a school-age child before he or she reaches high school, this guide is designed to assist parents of grade 4-8 students in helping their children establish good learning habits and complete homework assignments, while promoting active, lifelong learning. The guide's introduction…

This guide for elementary and secondary teachers discusses 18 tips for creating meaningful homework assignments that students will complete. Following introductory sections that explore hurdles to homework, the guide details the following tips: (1) lay out expectations early in the school year; (2) create assignments with a purpose; (3) make sure…

Noting that developing self-motivated, empowered students is an ongoing challenge for teachers, administrators, and parents, this action research project sought to build intrinsic learners, using cooperative learning and multiple intelligences. Participating in the project were students of two third-grade regular division classes and sixth and…

The degree of parental awareness of their children's homework style and homework behavior and its effects on academic and homework achievement and homework attitude were investigated in 329 Chinese fifth graders (172 boys and 157 girls) and 244 seventh graders (130 boys and 114 girls) and their parents in Hong Kong. Parental awareness of their…

Even after children enter school, parents continue to be the most important adult influence on their lives. This booklet, directed to parents, contains more than 40 ways that parents can work with their child's school to support their child's learning. The suggestions are organized in several sections: (1) "Parent Involvement: The 3 V's,"…

This study compared preferred homework styles of Chinese students who were characterized by: (1) high versus low self-perceived homework achievement and attitude; (2) high versus low teacher-rated homework completion and quality; (3) high versus low academic achievement in mathematics. Gender differences in homework styles were also examined.…

The kind of teacher performance that prompts witnesses to say that someone is a good teacher is not always equivalent to good teaching, if good teaching is what produces good learning. Teacher evaluation by colleagues and students, testing, and reading are discussed, and a new hypothesis and proposals are presented. (MLW)