Differences and relationships between home environment and motivational orientation were examined for 28 higher and 29 lower achieving mainland Puerto Rican children in grades 5 and 6. Post-hoc multiple regression analysis revealed that family involvement accounted for a significant amount of variance with regard to achievement. (SLD)

Considers different types of general purpose software being adapted by educators for use with at-risk students. Surveys software on basic skills, creativity and thinking skills, videodisks, and administrative packages. Includes a directory of products designed specifically for at-risk students. (MVL)

Describes the Family Math program for elementary school students and their families in Springfield (Massachusetts). Goals include the following: (1) increase minority parent participation; (2) overcome math anxiety; and (3) encourage mathematics participation. (FMW)

Examines Project IMPACT, a school-based teacher enhancement model for elementary mathematics instruction designed to improve student performance and support teacher change in predominately minority schools. Comparative data show IMPACT schools having significantly higher mathematics achievement scores that are persistent over time. Instructional…

Encopresis affects a small percentage of children, but most parents are unaware of the condition and react punitively. The lengthy, complex management program usually includes physiological and behavioral approaches. The collaborative management protocol focuses on medical clinicians, families, children, school nurses, and teachers, and can help…

Examined elementary and junior high school students in grades 2, 5, and 7 to determine baseline data about student performance on mental computation. Reports performance levels, difficulties of different types of mental computation, and preferences for doing computations mentally, with calculators, or by hand for each grade level. (MDH)

Hawaiian fifth graders learned to teach reading and peacemaking to kindergartners. After receiving instruction on peacemaking, leadership, and storytelling, the students taught the kindergartners about peace, chose books to read to them, practiced reading aloud, then read to their selected partners, using the strategies they had learned in class.…

This study tested the impact of combining mass media interventions with school smoking-prevention programs. Students in two communities received combined interventions over four years, while students in two other communities received only the school program. Periodic surveys indicated that the combined interventions had a significantly greater,…

Reports the differences found in intellectual achievement responsibility, attitude toward school, and self-esteem of black male elementary school students attending the Milwaukee African American Immersion Academy compared to those attending a traditional Milwaukee school. It was determined that Immersion Academy children performed better than…

Examines the Semester at Sea program and discusses its use in multicultural education and in the study of global and social issues. The program's goals, activities, and events are discussed as well as learner outcomes of students from three participating schools. (GR)

Researchers consistently underestimate the enormous potential of children to participate in the construction of their own learning environments and as research partners in examining learning. The paper chronicles one 6-year collaborative project with students on research in literacy learning and highlights students' perspectives on what the…

Describes the use of a telecommunications network by elementary school students in Texas for doing extra-credit homework. A pilot project in an innercity school that used equipment provided by a local corporation is described, use of the network during summer vacation is examined, and expansion of the program is discussed. (six references) (LRW)

Five boys and five girls each in grades one through six (n=60 students) asked controversial questions in interviews, recognized the lack of social consensus on the controversial topics and made subtle distinctions between controversial and noncontroversial topics. Implications for discussion of controversial issues in the classroom are discussed.…

Daniel Webster Accelerated School in San Francisco (California) is one of two schools adopting the process of school change developed by H. M. Levin. An interview with Levin explains his philosophy of accelerated schools characterized by (1) unity of purpose; (2) school site responsibility; and (3) building on strengths. (SLD)

Explores academic self-efficacy of 382 male and 319 female Chapter 1 elementary school students using the Self-Efficacy for Academic Tasks scale. Factor analyses reveal no sex differences in factor structure. Verbal skills and compliance explain 66 percent of the covariation. Efficacy beliefs decline between second and fifth grades. (SLD)