Describes how one elementary level special educator taught reading to special needs students by implementing a word wall using brain-based learning and constructivist concepts, which led to student and teacher empowerment. The paper also looks at the benefits of using authentic literature-based reading strategies. (SM)

The 21st-century integrated curriculum will be based not on themes, but on broad, unchanging concepts. The concept-based curriculum will require teaching of necessary language arts and other skills as needed for in-depth concept study. This approach offers common learning for all students by broadening specific objectives of many subject areas.…

Looks at how a class newsgroup impacted on class participation in a graduate seminar that included students who initially appeared at a possible disadvantage--linguistically, educationally, and experientially. Discusses these culturally diverse students' contributions to the asynchronous class discussion. Raises concerns about limitations of the…

A study investigated the efficacy of an intervention model to promote student involvement in transition planning. The intervention included coaching youth in student-directed planning skills to achieve transition goals, peer-based mentorship and parent support, and in-service education for staff. Participants demonstrated significant increases in…

Explores the growing phenomenon of increasing numbers of white faculty at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), noting implications for the traditional mission of HBCUs. Examines the historical and contemporary presence of white faculty at HBCUs and discusses unresolved and emerging issues, problems, and challenges that must be…

This study examined the effectiveness of individual behavioral skills training in conjunction with in situ training in teaching 13 preschool children abduction prevention skills. Children's performance was measured during baseline, training, and at 2-week, 1-month, and 3-month follow-ups using in situ assessments in which abduction prevention…

Teachers of literature and composition believe that they are doing the right thing by teaching literary analysis and encouraging students to assume the intellectual rigor of serious study of the language arts. However, the teaching of these courses is seldom justified with reasons other than the practical ones of going to college or finding a job.…

When social studies teachers walk into their classrooms, they are expected to be model citizens, showing respect and exemplifying responsibility, fairness, honesty, and compassion. Furthermore, it is also their responsibility to create a safe Internet environment in which technology enhances learning (Berson, Berson, and Ralston 1999). Thus, they…

The educators in the teacher inquiry group examine how to teach for social justice and support the development of student-empowering social justice themes in teachers' practice. A better understanding of effective urban teachers' philosophies and practices and putting a system in place to support the professional growth of all teachers are the two…

Based on written interviews and textual analysis of zines produced by girls involved in the feminist subculture of Riot Grrrl, this article maintains that zine making is one way for girls to form support networks and create a safe space to examine and resist the cultural devaluation of women. (SM)

This paper discusses the outcomes of an initiative to empower ten-year-olds as active researchers. It debates some of the barriers that are commonly cited with regard to children of this age taking ownership of their own research agendas--power relations, competence, knowledge and skills--and challenges the status quo. It describes a study in…

This article asserts that in preparing the youth for tomorrow, one of the educators' preoccupations should be helping them learn to make effective, responsible, intelligent choices. Though educators see the importance of choice in relation to student behavior and classroom management, there is little evidence they have considered choice in…

This paper proposes an expanded conception of scaffolding with four key elements: (1) scaffolding agency--expert, reciprocal, and self-scaffolding; (2) scaffolding domain--conceptual and heuristic scaffolding; (3) the identification of self-scaffolding with metacognition; and (4) the identification of six zones of scaffolding activity; each zone…

This applied dissertation described the evaluation of a program designed to provide students with the necessary academic and social skills needed to matriculate and graduate from the university. The problem was that there was no evidence of a formalized program evaluation to determine if the Academic Empowerment Center (AEC) was effective in…

Given that online higher education is a competitive marketplace, this paper discusses how to ensure online student success. Within the online learning environment, the following may create the vitality of the online institution: (a) The online learning environment; (b) The role of the instructor; (c) Learning Communities; (d) Computer-mediated…