Describes a computer-based activity for middle school students called MarsQuest that was part of a NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) CERES (Center for Educational Resources) project. Discusses student responses; how teachers integrated the activity across the curriculum; instructional design; preplanning; and evaluating student…

Addresses obtaining technology for music education by using an approach that keeps people, teaching, and learning at the forefront of education. Highlights the five steps involved: (1) begin with people and purposes; (2) determine how much space you need; (3) select the software; (4) choose hardware for the software; and (5) seek funding. (CMK)

Discusses the character and motives of Lady Noel-Byron, briefly married to Lord Byron, for involving herself in philanthropic work. Examines the various influences that aroused Lady Bryon's interest in education and describes her involvement in implementing her philanthropic endeavors, such as opening a school for poor children. (CMK)

This article reviews the functional assessment paradigm in relation to students with serious emotional and behavioral disorders who have well developed cognitive abilities and linguistic skills. Based on the needs of these students, the Assessment Intervention Process, a system for facilitating the development of effective positive behavior plans…

Discusses long-range strategic planning in schools. Argues that faculty, staff members, and students should comprise the planning committee, and a subcommittee should work with the school principal to monitor the implementation of plans. (JDI)

The Thomas Jefferson Center for Educational Design at the University of Virginia, with associates representing architecture, business, education, engineering, sociology, and technology, wants to redesign both schools and schooling. The goal is to raise standards without destroying hope, promote responsibility without sacrificing safety, expand…

Presents basic questions for schools to consider in deciding between late and early adoption of new curriculum systems. Outlines rules of thumb for setting up contracts for new Web-based technologies. Suggests that good planning in the initial stages will ameliorate most of the problems that can occur. Concludes with two additional guidelines:…

This practitioner-oriented article addresses some of the more commonly overlooked areas of online instructional development. Five sections discuss specific aspects of online program planning and development: (1) Building a Strategic Plan; (2) Technology Planning and Selection; (3) Systemic Instructional Design Considerations; (4) Training and…

This article presents BASE (Big ideas, Analyzing areas of difficulty, creating Strategies and supports, and Evaluating the process), a unit-planning process that teachers have used successfully with ninth-grade nontracked math classes to help secondary students with disabilities and students who are at-risk to be successful in a "reform" math…

Discusses an experiment with concurrent enrollment in a remedial English class and a psychology class required by nursing majors. Reports that two teachers targeted 10 strategies that would lead to success in the psychology class, and that final grades seemed to indicate that reinforcement of English strategies in the content course helped…

The process of implementing cooperative learning in the classroom was studied over a school year for nine elementary school teachers. Most teachers became increasingly proficient at implementing the student team-achievement divisions type of cooperative learning, but considerable planning and monitoring were needed to ensure success. (SLD)

Summarizes a study probing the relationship among leadership, effective planning, and resource management in four British secondary schools, highlighting environmental and school culture influences. Headteachers work along a continuum balanced between systems organization and an integrative culture. Schools with rational planning approaches are…

Attempts to provide an understanding of the purpose behind the recent increase in parent-teacher associations (PTA) in Hong Kong over the past three years. Shows that enhancing home-school communication is the most important objective. Examines the practices and networking functions of the PTA, and develops a model of PTA functions. (DSK)

Based on 5 years' experience, the Project Challenge coordinator for the Pittsford (New York) Central School District explains how to implement differentiated instruction. Teachers should find a buddy, align objectives, find out what students know, plan flexible grouping, encourage student responsibility, and provide choices. (MLH)

Outlines four categories of "prior" questions to consider before embarking on a distance learning program: "Everyone is doing it"; "The promise of income"; "Computers and networks"; and "Potential students." Identifies other questions that focus on types of individual needs and how they are being met; options that could be made available; problems…