The Manhattanville (New York) College Neuroscience Outreach Program is a research-based effort that presents different topics in neuroscience to science students in local middle schools. The program aims to provide a forum for curriculum development and teaching, enhance a cooperative internal community, and increase student awareness of the…

Considers the relevance of human-computer interaction (HCI) guidelines for educational interface design, including why educational software is different from other products; differences in goal focus; performance and learning; and experiments that investigated transfer of learning, including implications for the design of educational technologies.…

Researchers advise school boards to make academic standards everyone's business; narrow standards' grade- and school-level focus; make standards-based decisions; invest in highly qualified teachers; demand helpful, well-aligned assessments; approach accountability cautiously; and intervene to help struggling students. Online resources are listed.…

Based on 5 years' experience, the Project Challenge coordinator for the Pittsford (New York) Central School District explains how to implement differentiated instruction. Teachers should find a buddy, align objectives, find out what students know, plan flexible grouping, encourage student responsibility, and provide choices. (MLH)

Provides four rules on grading for new teaching assistants: (1) set clear standards, and make them known; (2) apply the same standards to everyone; (3) stand firm when you are right, admit when you are wrong; and (4) take your students seriously. (CMK)

Summarizes four guidelines pertaining to classroom advocacy that are based on the purpose of a liberal arts education: (1) advocacy should be explicit; (2) advocacy should be reasoned and informed; (3) teachers should allow free and open discussion of students' positions; and (4) advocacy should be civil and repectful of students. (CMK)

Too many student governments have agendas focused on social, volunteer, and fund-raising activities, not broader civic responsibilities. In student governments with responsibility for addressing school-community issues, participants may lack needed skills and habits of mind. The importance of advisers, due process, democratic selection, and…

After 4 years of debate, the National Collegiate Athletic Association agreed in January 2000 to accept high-school principals' descriptions of their courses, rather than to continue judging courses through the clearinghouse. Persistence, a sense of humor, and sympathetic journalists aided the protest effort. (MLH)

Provides an overview of the existing Web accessibility guidelines under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, reviews current laws and court cases involving Web accessibility issues, and discusses ways in which Web pages can be modified to meet the needs of all students. Includes online resources to help design accessible Web pages. (Author/LRW)

This article provides an overview of the characteristics of an effective arts education program, descriptions of the various options available for artistically talented students seeking specialized training through performing and visual arts schools, and guidelines to those interested in planning a new school for the arts. (Contains seven…

Examines the variability of Israeli schools' emergency preparedness and response to the Gulf War and the association of school culture with school effectiveness during this emergency. Policy guidelines should include recommendations for diagnosing and identifying dimensions of school culture (including religious beliefs and school ideology) that…

This article summarizes guidelines developed by the Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Early Childhood Research Institute for selecting and adapting materials for young children and their families. Recommendations are provided that community teams should consider in collecting, selecting, and reflecting on materials. Tips are also…

Presents guidelines for establishing and maintaining Young Adult services in the library. Discusses identifying the needs of young adults; developing the collection; marketing; programming; school outreach; networking; community visits and raising community awareness; popular culture; staff support and training; and professional associations and…

Accommodations are test-administration changes that do not change the underlying construct being measured. The Individuals with Disabilities legislation and regulations provide little guidance on implementing assessment accommodations for students with learning disabilities. Certain research-based checklists or rating scales help link…

A Minnesota study showed that changing school starting times to accommodate adolescent sleep patterns profoundly affected many families. Implementation processes substantially influenced how families received changes. Policy makers should inform and involve all stakeholders, allow ample time, provide research-based justifications, support…