Students from the Free School in Albany, New York, arranged and financed a road trip to the National Coalition of Alternative Community Schools conference in Pennsylvania. In exchange for a portion of travel expenses, they visited a struggling new charter school in Florida and demonstrated their democratic decision-making process. (TD)

Classroom social climate, stress, social support, quality of family life, psychological distress, and academic self-concept were modeled in a path analysis as predictors of school satisfaction (N=129). A caring, supportive school community was most predictive of students' satisfaction. Implications for prevention and intervention efforts with…

Articulates the idea that a track is a type of social position in students' relations with particular teachers and course work. Uses students' profiles of course work in high school to derive eight curricular positions associated with status characteristics and students' attitudes. Includes statistical analysis that links variables to achievement.…

Discusses the results of a survey of graduate students concerning their motivation for pursuing a scientific career. Concludes that while the predominant motive for most young scientists is the value of the work, many issues such as the conditions in the workplace and the organization of research hinder this task. (MJP)

Two chapters of a serialized book develop the idea that attention-deficit disorder is created by the conventional school's rigid enforcement of a spirit-deadening "order" that suppresses children's natural behaviors. Anecdotes from Albany's Free School describe incidents in which two very active and intelligent boys developed some…

Reviews eight techniques for assessing family-school connections studied by participants in a two-year school personnel training program: informal observation and discussion; examination of pre-existing data; review of places, policies, and programs; focus group discussion; mailed survey; survey at school; telephone survey; and radio call-in.…

Examines the art education classes conducted via radio and correspondence by the Longreach School of Distance Education in Queensland, Australia. Consisting mostly of cattle and sheep ranches, Queensland is marked by vast distances and low population. Considers the ways that this isolation has shaped the character of distance visual arts…

A 3-year case study of a Houston (Texas) high school demonstrates that high stakes testing is an alienating feature of schooling. The need to pass the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills to graduate discourages many Mexican American and immigrant Mexican students from completing high school or considering college. The English-only nature of the…

Asserts that conflict is inherent in school culture, and that respect and responsibility cannot be imposed on students. Explains that when these values become part of the norm of everyday interactions between students and adults in school, improvement will occur. Recommends character education, peer mentoring, and peer conflict mediation.…

In this report, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development's (ASCD's) Commission on the Whole Child advances five major recommendations for ensuring that all children are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. This report frames education within the most fundamental context--the personalized engagement and nurturing of the…

The Additional Support for Learning Act is a key piece of legislation in Scotland's efforts to achieve a more inclusive society and to give all young people access to the learning opportunities they need in order to meet their potential. The Act also has a key role to play in the day-to-day preventative action that schools can take to be inclusive…

Reformed Theological Seminary's Virtual Campus has successfully taught the biblical languages online since 1999. This article describes the theoretical principles that underlie the design and asynchronous delivery of online Greek and Hebrew to part-time adult distance students. The structure and administration of the courses is discussed, as well…

In 1969, the College of Lake County (CLC) was founded in Grayslake, Illinois, as the result of a grassroots effort by area residents. To ensure employee input into decisions during the formative years, CLC established the All-College Senate (ACS), an employee forum featuring representatives from every employee group who met regularly to discuss…

This policy brief discusses the impact on students with disabilities of educational reforms that emphasize higher academic standards for all students and zero tolerance policies to make schools safe learning environments for all students. The public's demand for higher standards and safe environments is also explored. The development of academic…

This paper describes the development of a predictive model to determine potential high school dropouts and identify areas for intensified assistance at the individual or group level. V. Tinto's (1975, 1987) model of college attrition was validated for use with high school students in rural, low socioeconomic areas of the Southeast. Ex post facto…