Schools that become part of the "Making Middle Grades Work" network are expected to use the middle grades comprehensive improvement framework to show progress in changing school and classroom practices in ways that advance student achievement. True school reform is not a quick process. It is a continuous effort to make purposeful and planned…

This paper describes the needs assessment activities that informed the design and development of M.Ed. and post-master's degree courses and programs to be delivered onsite and through distance technology support in rural areas. Two partner school systems participated in the needs assessment with three more currently involved in the programs.…

Literature linking self-concept and achievement, and evaluation research on educational programs to improve self-concept are analyzed in terms of several self-concept theories. Evidence for a causal connection between self-concept and achievement is negative. Researchers have failed to explore other theoretical approaches to educational change.…

Ten staff members of residential facilities for individuals with mental retardation were trained in self-monitoring procedures, to increase staff on-task behavior and adherence to scheduled activities. Increases in both on-schedule and on-task behavior resulted, and generalization to evening hours occurred. Supervisor feedback was subsequently…

Profiles Thomas F. Gilbert, a pioneer and influential leader in educational media and instructional technology, who is often cited as the founder of the field of performance technology. Discusses Gilbert's educational background and early interests, contributions to scholarship, awards, work as instructional-design consultant and performance…

Reviews key literature on rural education, 1974-98. Describes characteristics of rural schools and communities. Discusses the results of 100 years of efforts to urbanize and homogenize rural schools, and the question of whose interests should be served by rural schools. Examines ideas about the nature of appropriate rural school improvement, and…

States that teaching students responsible behavior is as important as teaching them respectful behavior. Asserts that respectful behavior is not synonymous with compliance, and that school teachers and administrators should make this distinction clear. Defines "respect,""being respectful," and "responsibility." (NB)

Argues that in order to gain respect from students, adults must stress relationships over rules. Contends that rigid enforcement of rules breeds compliance, and compliance does not equal respect. States that students must be in healthy relationships with those whom they respect, and that adults should be respectable. (NB)

Describes SAIL (Students Active in Leadership) as a school-based, youth-directed group. States that the program helps teenagers learn leadership skills by developing and implementing community service activities. SAIL finds partners with whom to collaborate among local businesses, government, and health associations, and these partners provide the…

Introduction: The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) recognized that certification and recertification must be based on an assessment of performance in practice as well as an examination of medical knowledge. Physician self-assessment of practice performance is proposed as one method that certification boards may use to evaluate competence…

This article describes a web-based application designed to provide meaningful access to the study of Computer Science to speakers of an African language who have limited experience of using English for academic purposes. Our research is focused upon students of Computer Skills in the Extended Studies Programme at Rhodes University who have studied…

"Background": Clinical trials have shown that behavioural treatments based on variants of prolonged-speech (PS) are best practice for reducing the stuttering rate in adults. However, while stuttering is significantly reduced or eliminated for most adults in the short-term with such treatment, relapse in the longer-term is common. Consequently,…

This study evaluates a Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology (PT[cube]) project that endeavored to improve teacher educators' uses of technology so as to influence future teachers. This PT[cube] project sought to build on a foundation of key characteristics of teacher education programs thought to be exemplary in the use of technology…

As is true for human resource development (HRD), the field of organization development (OD) draws from numerous disciplines to inform its theory base. However, the identification and selection of theory to inform improved practice remains a challenge and begs the question of what can be used to inform and guide one in the identification and…

The first full-service school in Evansville, Indiana, began at Cedar Hall Elementary School in the mid-1990s. In the planning phase of the Cedar Hall pilot, a number of community-based organizations, businesses, parents, and churches were invited to come together to develop a full-service school framework. In 2000, a district council was…