This report recommends to administrators and students ways of opening channels through which students can express their opinions about administrative decisions and assume greater responsibility for solving their educational problems. The recommendations cover general administrative policies, attitudes and actions of administrators, attitudes and…

Discusses some of the problems associated with winners and losers at science fairs. Presents two alternatives to the traditional prize system: "The Scouting Concept" and "The County Fair Concept." Stresses the values and learnings that are associated with successful fairs. (CW)

Highlights science learning activities and experiences from elementary and middle schools. Includes "Highest Tech Science," an innovative science lab; "Swap Meets," lessons exchanged by mail by two schools; "Students Ahoy," an outdoor experience at the shore; and two cooperative programs between colleges and elementary schools. (CW)

In examining the role of student affairs programming and cocurricular involvement as it relates specifically to black students, two perspectives on student development are used to investigate developmental opportunities: Arthur Chickering's developmental vectors and Alexander Astin's student involvement theory. Time management and providing for…

Paraprofessional programs in campus activities not only relieve some of the burdens placed on professionals, but also provide effective peer counseling for students and outstanding development opportunities for the paraprofessionals themselves. Some paraprofessional programs in student activities are described. (MLW)

There is increasing awareness that how young people spend their time outside of school has consequences for their development. As part of this awareness, interest in organized activities--extracurricular activities, after-school programs, and youth organizations--has grown markedly. On balance, the bulk of research on organized activities has…

Children benefit when their parents or caregivers are actively involved in their out-of-school learning. Yet a new report by the Harvard Family Research Project and United Way of Massachusetts Bay finds that only a quarter of programs surveyed had effectively incorporated families. This guide, funded by the Wallace Foundation under its Parents and…

This report contains the following white papers commissioned for the Forum on the Future of Technology in Education: Envisioning the Future to explore a variety of perspectives related to the future of technology in education, as well as the topics of "e-learning" and technology and disability: (1) "Technology in K-12 Education:…

This booklet addresses student membership on local boards of education. It is intended to serve as guide for boards considering adding youth to their membership. It discusses the following topics: (1) the benefits to both students and the board of youth serving as board members; (2) researching issues before accepting students on boards; (3)…

Noting that there is little focus in research literature, in popular discussions, or in policymaking regarding how to promote positive youth development, this research brief presents a preliminary set of constructs that might comprise positive youth development in order to spark productive conversations that will lead to a better conceptualization…

This report examines the experiences of secondary school students in the former City of Toronto inside and outside of school using data from the 1997 Every Secondary Student Survey. Student experiences are looked at within the context of their demographic backgrounds. In 1997, almost half the students were nonnative speakers of English,…

Though Spain maintained her neutrality throughout the World War, her educational, economic, and political conditions--in all countries inextricably bound up with each other--were affected nearly as much as those of the nations participating in it. The educational conditions of Spain are discussed in this bulletin. The following contents are…

Reviews court cases in which parents challenged school practices on religious grounds. Puts particular emphasis on recent attempts to make the curriculum conform to religious views. (Author/JM)

A survey of 1,200 students at York University (Ontario) found students' place of residence affected student involvement and first-year grades. After controlling for standardized test scores and department, freshman grades of off-campus students were higher than those of on-campus students. Despite off-campus residence and low involvement in some…

The James Madison University (Virginia) experience in implementing the "Student Learning Imperative" is described. Challenges to be met in creating programs, services, and curricula focused on learning and a strong sense of intentionality are discussed including circumstances for change; compatibility of project and community values;…