Describes the Hilltop Emergent Literacy Project (HELP) in Toledo (Ohio), an afterschool educational program for poor, mostly African American, students in kindergarten through grade 3, and evaluates its effects on 12 kindergartners in comparison with a control group of 12 kindergartners. Program effectiveness is supported. (SLD)

Study evaluated students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the Dietary Guidelines, school lunches, and nutrition instruction. Results indicated students needed education about the Food Guide Pyramid; relationships between fat, weight status, and health; and food sources of fat, salt, and fiber. Students wanted active involvement in…

A teaching methodology that can be utilized to address the lack of quality health instruction for special education students is cooperative teaching. A videotaped role play activity that involves the cooperation of health educators, special educators, and peer tutors can help special and regular education students develop health skills. (SM)

Reports on a survey involving 700 students and 300 parents in Volgodonsk, Russia. Itemizes types of leisure activities and hours per week of leisure time enjoyed by students and examines amount of organized leisure. Notes that television viewing consumed much of students' leisure time. Underscores parents' critical influence in determining student…

Thirty-four boys and 31 girls in grades 2, 4, and 6 were asked about seeking help with mathematics and reading from their parents, teachers, and classmates. Results, discussed in terms of sex and age differences, suggest that low achievers know they need help but hesitate to ask for assistance. (SLD)

Growth of reading vocabulary from first through fourth grade was determined for 288 elementary school students (initial sample 756) from urban and rural disadvantaged schools and a suburban mainstream school. Results show great vocabulary increases and suggest some reasons and remedies for the gap between mainstream and disadvantaged schools. (SLD)

Common instructional practices in the teaching of language minority students are described. The case study of a fourth grade classroom in Longmont (Colorado) illustrates how a teacher's enthusiasm for literacy instruction creates an environment where all students, including the Hispanic language minority, can be active participants. (SLD)

Reviews the system of elementary education in the Republic of Ireland. Examines demographic data on the nature and size of school population and the organization of elementary education; describes curriculum at the junior and senior grade levels; presents research findings relating to reading, mathematics, science; and considers teacher and…

Describes the method of having children observe videotapes of other children's mathematics activities to gain insights into the observing children's thought processes and the observed children's activities. Discusses the applications of this method as a research tool and as a probe for classroom teachers in evaluating students. (MDH)

Reviews the situation of education in Kosova, a part of old Yugoslavia with an Albanian population, where a low-intensity ethnic cleansing campaign against children is being conducted by Serbian authorities. In response to Serbian destruction of the public school system, semiclandestine Albanian language schools have been created. (SLD)

Students' perceptions of differences in teacher interaction for males and females in grades 5 through 12 were studied, and school-related attitudes, preferences, and aspirations of 132 boys were compared with those of 97 girls. Compared to girls, boys perceive inequities to a greater extent and show greater preference for mathematics and science.…

Investigated differences in low-income African-American children's (n=107) adaptive functioning and maladaptive behavior in association with their father-figures' presence or absence, grade level, gender, and quality of family support as perceived by the children's caregivers. Conflict was the only dimension of quality of family support that was…

Studies race and gender, rule violations, punishments, referral rates and frequencies, and follow-up activities to determine differences in treatment by race, sex, and handicapping condition found in 4,391 discipline files from 9 schools of a Florida kindergarten through grade-12 district. Racial bias exists in the administration of punishment.…

Briefly reviews research on ability grouping and points out effects of such grouping on student achievement, self-concepts, and attitudes. Suggests ways in which educators can make significant differences with learners by implementing effective organizational practices as alternatives to ability grouping. (BB)

Describes community service learning (CSL) programs at Pottenger School, Springfield (Massachusetts). The kindergarten through grade-12 school, a literature-based whole-language school, integrates CSL into the curriculum through writing about student experiences. CSL projects have included feeding the homeless, corresponding with a soldier, and…