Argues that traditional educational methods erode children's natural enthusiasm for learning. Suggests that reformers consider incorporating principles of Montessori education as a way to improve the present educational system. Replacing emphasis on performance and competition with respect for children's right to follow their own interests and…

Heterogeneity in 8- to 10-year-old girls who were rejected by their peers was investigated. Cluster analysis revealed two groups, the more deviant being characterized by withdrawal, anxiety, and low academic functioning. Aggression did not differentiate the two groups. (BC)

Describes the four aspects of the Reading Recovery program: (1) the teaching of children; (2) the training of teachers; (3) the training of teacher leaders; and (4) implementing the program in an education system and coordinating the long-term prevention strategy. Notes that a critical factor in the program is the training of teachers. (RS)

Contends that the question of what Black Americans call themselves is a nonissue that diverts attention from larger problems without contributing to their solution. Traces widespread crime, poverty, educational failure, and institutional breakdown to the erosion of Black family and community values, and urges the reversal of this trend. (AF)

Assigned college student subjects (N=149) to verbal or mathematics and success or failure conditions to test hypothesis from self-efficacy theory. Changes in task self-efficacy and interest resulting from task success or failure were in accordance with predictions. Task performance effects generalized to global mathematics and verbal ability…

A new English teacher at the Air Force Academy describes his experience with students' academic shortcomings and his own expectations, concluding that teachers need training in taking risks, accepting failure, and findings ways to foster new learning and growth, both in themselves and in students. (MSE)

Reviews conditions in the environment that put the children of Hispanic migrant workers at risk for developing physical and cognitive disabilities. These include inadequate environmental protection, poor housing, and lack of access to health care and community resources. Strategies to facilitate positive change for farm worker families and…

Advocates further revision of the developmentally appropriate practice guidelines of the National Association for the Education of Young Children to more fully recognize the implications of cultural and linguistic diversity and racial equality for the education of young children. Focuses on culture and universality, parent-professional…

Students with special needs share the same basic needs for literacy instruction. General-education teachers should maintain primary responsibility for literacy education for all students, while special educators and reading specialists provide support. This paper examines obstacles to quality literacy instruction, offering a school-based case…

Kindergarten teachers rated the progress of 303 kindergartners toward six academic objectives. Thirty-eight students who received unsatisfactory ratings were matched to 34 children with satisfactory ratings. Identified children had poorer academic achievement, phonological processes, and working memory, and more behavior problems. Follow-up at…

Suggests techniques to assist middle level students who fail because of lack of confidence. Examines reasons for student failure and discusses procedures to identify underachievers and use classroom tests to create a mindset for success. Describes procedures for providing extra help to allow underachieving students to achieve success. Discusses…

Explores the ambivalence of many working class parents to the idea of school choice. Maintains that, for many working class parents, school is associated with powerful memories and images of personal failure. Includes excerpts from interviews and data collected from an Economic and Social Research Council study. (MJP)

A teacher describes the frustrations of an intelligent, learning-disabled fourth-grader who cannot pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System despite standard academic accommodations. The teacher advocates development of alternative or "nonstandard" accommodations and tests that assess students' spatial, problem-solving, and…

A published author's bad experiences with the writing portion of high stakes exams illustrate how such evaluations do not give everyone a fair shot at success. The author's test failures resulted from poor handwriting, inability to shorten the reflective thinking process, and unwillingness to communicate in a rigidly task-oriented form. Contains 6…

With passage of several recent laws, the California State legislature intended to end social promotion, replacing it with a system of prevention, intervention, and retention. The "strategic schooling" approach depends on three elements: targets (both students and content), continuous feedback via assessments, and organizational and…