A study examined effects of class-wide curricular modification on the engagement and behaviors of six students (ages 13-14) with emotional disturbances, in a self-contained science class. Modifications included providing opportunities for choice making and ensuring activities were of high interest, which resulted in increased engagement and…

This study explored relative contributions of variables underlying 30 elementary teachers' referral judgments. Best predictors of referral were teachers' judgments about presence of behavioral problems and students' academic competence, while demography, off-task behavior, and teachers' stress failed to contribute significantly. (Contains…

This paper describes implementation of a combined active training and consultation project with 64 school staff members in a large urban district. Participation was broadly associated with increased staff knowledge of effective behavior management and instructional strategies, successful implementation of skills at the classroom level with…

The First Step to Success program was implemented with 22 kindergartners who showed early signs of developing antisocial behaviors. All 16 who completed the program showed significantly increased levels of academic engaged time, with follow-up levels generally maintained at acceptable levels. Overall behavioral improvement was significant but…

This study, involving a 10-year-old child with cerebral palsy and autism, found that the use of headphones resulted in an increase in on-task behavior whether stimuli were presented in an audiovisual mode, an audio-only mode, or a visual-only mode. Preference was for the auditory only or the mixed audiovisual stimuli. (DB)

This article discusses a study which confirms that for students to do well on standardized tests, schools and teachers must address how they use time. Suggestions are offered on how teachers can enhance their school learning environment and reduce the amount of time consumed by interruptions and routine activities. (IAH)

Presents an evaluation of reference services and government document use at East Carolina University (North Carolina) library. Factors that most affect retrieval success include cataloging and technical problems, the amount of time spent in searching, and staff knowledge. (Author/AEF)

Describes how five elementary and secondary schools have successfully altered the traditional school schedule in order to develop greater educational quality. These schools give examples of using time more flexibly, allowing teachers to help slower students, helping teachers polish their lessons and go deeper into their disciplines, and providing…

Presents study results on the effects of students working in pairs on spelling in three different grades. Explains that students working individually were compared to students working in pairs. Reports less off-task behavior for the younger students working in pairs. Concludes that effort increases in pair work, but achievement increased only at…

This examination of reading in New Zealand classrooms found that deaf children (n=45, ages 5-10) spent very low amounts of time engaged in reading and were subjected to teacher interactions that may inhibit the development of meaning-based reading skills. Case studies showed that more time spent reading led to greater reading achievement.…

Two studies, each involving four intermediate grade students with learning disabilities, examined the differential effects of attention monitoring and performance monitoring on spelling study behaviors and story writing behaviors. Both interventions had a positive impact; neither was clearly or consistently superior to the other. (Author/JDD)

Reports findings of a study that investigated fifth and sixth graders' attending and participating behaviors during mathematics. Some students, especially low achievers, manifested passivity in cooperative small groups. Some possible reasons for this behavior are suggested, and a categorization of types of passivity is provided. (Author/SM)

This article reviews the literature on curriculum-based assessment (CBA) with students who have special education needs. Features of CBA common to various approaches and contributing most to its instructional effectiveness include teachers' evaluative attitudes and behaviors, focus and sustained attention on student performance, and facilitation…

Improving student achievement hinges on adopting effective, research-based learning practices and activities. These include parent involvement, graded homework, direct teaching, aligned time on task, tutoring, cooperative learning, mastery learning, and teaching of learning strategies. Three high-achieving schools are profiled. (MLH)

A turnaround school in Mission, Texas proves poverty and underachievement are not synonymous. The 1998 passing rate on state assessments was 90.7 percent, compared to 41.2 percent in 1993. Factors include committed faculty, a strong principal, extended reading practice and instructional time, incentives and recognition, and pre-assessment…