School-initiated activities to change the home educational environment can strongly influence student learning, even in schools serving low-income and minority families. This sourcebook shows various ways that schools can take the initiative in reaching out and working with families as equal partners; and explores how family life, school programs,…

Designed as a guide for practitioners, this book draws on over 600 sources to discuss school restructuring definitions, trends, and issues; achievements of a few select schools; and implementation techniques and strategies. Two overarching, indirectly stated issues pervading the reconceptualization of schooling are multiculturalism and a caring…

This paper emphasizes the significance of cultural diversity in American schools and its implications for the teaching and learning processes. Also highlighted is the importance of the realization that diversity is what makes the United States unique. The paper discusses the cultural dynamics of clashes and conflicts as well as of cooperation and…

This study utilizes student enrollment data often available to institutional researchers in order to predict and explain time to degree. The population for the study included all 1992 bachelors degree graduates (n=868) of a state-supported comprehensive university in the Southeast. Block multiple regression based upon Astin's…

This paper uses an individual case study approach to describe effects of the Learning Disabilities Transition Project, a 3-year federally funded research demonstration project which facilitated the transition of students with learning disabilities from high school to postsecondary institutions or to employment opportunities. Project goals included…

A study investigated low-income children's book reading experiences with their mothers and in group reading in preschool when the children were 3 and 4 years old. At the age of 3 years, the primary focus of book readings in both settings was immediate information. Mothers were significantly more likely than teachers to use extending comments, and…

This report discusses "multimedia" instruction as it applies to successful learning environments at Bank Street College of Education (New York), ranging from pre-electronic to electronic. In four of the interviews detailed, a Bank Street College professor, researcher, and two Bank Street School for Children teachers offer different perspectives…

Utilizing self-report data from 32 elementary and secondary teachers, this longitudinal, qualitative study examines the role shifts of both teachers and students as they adapted to teaching and learning in educational, technology-rich, Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow environments. At first, teachers in these instructionally innovative classrooms…

The effectiveness of computers and related information technologies in changing educational environments is largely determined by the presence of three conditions: (1) good advance planning; (2) appropriate and extensive inservice training; and (3) easily accessible high quality courseware/software. Utah is an example of a state that has…

The papers in this proceedings are grouped in four parts addressing family, health, education, and welfare of Appalachian children, respectively. The first part, "The Children's Family," includes papers that focus on general ethnographic description of Appalachian family life, child rearing practices, and programs designed to support the…

Revised texts of five papers from a conference on Dutch applied linguistics are presented. "Learning a Foreign Language in a Natural Acquisition Context Without Instruction" (Wolfgang Klein) advocates observing and analyzing language learning in progress in natural language learning contexts and presents data from a European project on…

This document, which reviews national, state, and local science activities and programs, provides educators with concrete examples of varied science programs that are a valuable resource for teaching science skills and proficiencies. This resource guide is intended to help educators supplement, amend, and revise their elementary science programs…

The Teachers Achieving Success with Kids (TASK) mentorship program was designed to improve the attendance, discipline, academic achievement and attitudes of at-risk students attending an urban middle school. In order to develop positive relationships, 25 teacher-student pairs met each day away from the classroom setting and engaged in one hour…

This paper presents, first, the statutory entitlement authorizing support to educators of children affected by drugs or alcohol; then, a population overview which covers family characteristics, infant, preschool, and classroom needs; and finally, suggestions for recruitment and retention strategies in personnel training and direct service…

A study examined career transitions within organizations. Developed and evaluated during the study was a model that views career transitions as a stress-coping process influenced by work and non-work factors. Data from organizational records, a questionnaire, and performance ratings were collected for 109 managers and professionals in a…