This paper examines racial and ethnic achievement disparities in places where schools are reputedly excellent, reporting on the 2000-2001 Ed-Excel Assessment of Secondary School Culture, which collected data on black, white, Hispanic, Asian, and mixed race students. Questions covered family characteristics, opinions about instructional quality,…

This handbook of procedures related to dyslexia is designed to provide guidelines for Mississippi school districts, teachers, and parents in the identification and instruction of students with dyslexia, to assist regular educators in gaining current information concerning dyslexia, accommodations and modifications, and to provide information on…

Providing information for preservice teacher education students and inservice teachers refreshing their knowledge, this self-instruction book addresses "word attack" or word analysis strategies, which are part of the strategies readers use to process written language for meaning. New to the sixth edition of the book are updated…

This study compared academic delay of gratification (ADOG) among conditionally-admitted African-American, regularly-admitted African-American, and regularly-admitted white college students. A total of 44 conditionally-admitted African-American students, 43 regularly-admitted African-American students, and 273 regularly-admitted Caucasian students…

This paper addresses the methodological issues encountered when attempting to evaluate a college course's effectiveness by determining whether students who enroll in it perform at higher levels than students who did not enroll. The paper identifies resource people who may be helpful in the evaluation, and offers guidelines for the research…

The result of a school-university partnership to prepare future special educators, this collection of lesson plans is designed to teach self-determination across the K-12 curriculum to empower students with disabilities. All of the lessons have been implemented within a micro-teaching demonstration with special education interns. Lesson plans are…

This study skills curriculum is designed to assist students who are deaf or hearing impaired to prepare for college life. It presents lesson plans and activities that address the following topics: (1) effective school tools; (2) effective school attitudes; (3) effective school behaviors; (4) time management and goal settings, including keeping…

Outlines a series of strategies and approaches to increase undergraduate student participation. Strongly recommends the use of study questions (disseminated prior to the readings) and a classroom management style emphasizing participation and involvement rather than an immediate mastery of the material. Discusses the benefits and limitations of…

A University of Auckland (Australia) program of developmental studies for students on academic probation provides four days of intensive instruction in time management, study habits, test preparation, test-taking, memory, concentration, and writing skills. Data show students taking the course improved significantly in their academic achievement…

Recommends turning some of the more tedious aspects of elementary instrumental rehearsals (particularly playing scales) into games. Describes a number of educational games that can be constructed around these activities, including a "Wheel of Fortune" parody. (MJP)

Reports on the impact of extra-credit assignments on the academic performance of marginal college-level students. Finds that those who attempted the assignments improved their test performance, were less likely to drop out of the class than a control group, and evaluated the experience positively. (CFR)

This article considers why journal assignments are desirable in a variety of college courses and offers a definition of empowerment, three components of a model journal entry, and criteria for journal assignments. Also described are applications of journal writing in English, management, study skills, and communication. (JB)

Career counseling programs offer exceptional services to traditional students, but these programs usually overlook learning disabled (LD) students. This article describes Bridges to Career Success: The LD Career Project, which provides career-planning and placement services for LD students. Components of Bridges could be incorporated into existing…

The technique of having college economics students write brief reaction papers in response to assigned readings has been found to be useful in motivating and enhancing student preparedness for classroom discussions. The reaction papers also helped students study for exams and develop writing skills. (MSE)

Explains semantic mapping as a visual representation of knowledge that is useful for understanding underlying textbook concepts. Outlines steps for constructing a conceptual map with ninth grade students to be used as an aid in reading about peoples of the Middle East. Emphasizes student participation for effective semantic mapping. Provides…