Examines the success of Jewish Day schools (in terms of curriculum, parent involvement, and societal implications) in the United States and Afrocentric educational programs (in terms of arguments for, focus on male students, transition to adulthood, and community involvement) in developing positive self-concepts and academic success among…

Initiatives are discussed that can increase young Black males' success in science and technology programs. The Meyerhoff Scholarship Program (MSP) of the University of Maryland Baltimore County has successfully increased the number of African Americans who enter/succeed in undergraduate and doctoral/professional science and technology programs by…

Describes a case study of 12 elementary schools (emphasizing 2 schools) affected by the Chicago School Reform Act, focusing on local contexts and features of school communities that advance or impede change. Results demonstrate the importance of neighborhood contexts and school leadership and the complexities of applying technical expertise. (SLD)

Studies 683 African-American, inner-city children in Chicago (Illinois), exposed to 4 to 6 years of early childhood education. Benefits seem to have lasted for girls but less so for boys. Reading scores for girls and boys at the program end were similar and equal to local and national norms. (JB)

Explores the concept of culture as a factor in the well-being of children. Holding students accountable for their behavior, holding schools accountable for activities and achievements of students, and inducing parents to support their children in school require a cultural change in how we look at schooling. (SLD)

Summarizes a five-month study of a British secondary school governing body to determine whether the 1986 and 1988 education acts' goals were being achieved. One significant research issue was the emerging lay-professional relationship. At present, the school governing body is not fully exercising its powers but is responding to an externally…

Describes on-campus College/Career Resource Centers (CCRCs) designed to help students in the Lexington Two school district in West Columbia, South Carolina, identify the higher educational institution of their choice and to search for the funds to afford that opportunity. Presents graphic picture of success story of parents and students working…

This interview with Billy Tidwell, Director of Research at the National Urban League, discusses contemporary issues in education, training, and urban development, beginning with an overview of educational reform. Minority education and the role of the National Urban League are considered in light of social problems that affect the ability to learn…

Uses data from interviews with 28 low-income single mothers (lone mothers) in the London (England) area to begin to develop a typology of the involvement of lone mothers in their children's schooling that emphasizes the mediating contributions of class, race, social support, family structure, and position within a racially structured patriarchal…

Examines drug-prevention programs in the United Kingdom and the United States which have included parents within their intervention strategies. Reviews implications for practice, describes a small number of model programs, and identifies critical issues for policy and practice regarding identifying, recruiting, and retaining parents within the…

Offers suggestions to keep girls interested and involved in digital technology. Highlights include role models; encouraging math and science courses; a computer club for girls; integrating computer activities into the curriculum; Web-based lessons; mentoring; appropriate software; designing with computer graphics; collaborative groups; and…

Proposes an index of school performance to assess progress in meeting goals of academic achievement, equity of educational outcomes, citizenship, social ethics, and health. Details relative weights: core academic outcomes, 40 percent; citizenship, health, teamwork, and social ethics, 25 percent; school completion, teacher qualifications, and…

Discusses factors related to parental involvement and reading achievement, including the benefits of parents reading to children, home environment factors, socioeconomic factors, barriers to parental involvement, and school involvement. Investigates whether parental involvement made a difference in the reading achievement of 30 second graders in a…

Describes a set of structured experiences within a preservice teacher education program that helped construct, with the students, a critical perspective toward better understanding pupils' home, community, and school lives. The structured experiences occurred within a New Mexico school community research project combined with a course on families,…

The 1998 study of the K-8 principal shows that the principal's role, revolving about staff supervision, student discipline, marketing, and community/political interactions, has become increasingly diverse and complex. The 42% turnover rate will probably continue into the next decade. Today, 42% of K-8 principals are women, compared to 20% in 1988.…