Asserts that in order for simulations to work well they need to operate within the constraints of a pre-designed set of rules. The simulation needs to incorporate an articulation of these rules, the simulation activity, and a thorough debriefing. Includes a set of questions and activities designed to facilitate debriefing. (MJP)

Describes the annual Moot Court Competition held each year in Sacramento, California and supported by the Citizenship and Law-Related Education Center. The program gives high school students the opportunity to learn about the nation's justice system using a role-playing scenario of an appellate-level court argument. (MJP)

Surveyed students and parents from 122 public elementary schools to examine relations among school characteristics, parent involvement, and parent perceptions. Found that specific characteristics were associated with higher and lower parent participation at the individual level and at the school level. (LPP)

Investigated the impact of parental involvement on elementary students' educational outcomes. Data from a study of 193 Los Angeles area second and fifth graders and their mothers indicated that parent school involvement contributes to positive child outcomes. The involvement appears to be a manifestation of parental enthusiasm and positive…

Based on analysis of discussions of fiction using Dedalus Interchange in literary analysis classes, it was found that synchronous electronic conferencing exposed students to more viewpoints, deemphasized traditional authority, increased metalinguistic awareness, decreased inhibition and gender barriers, and facilitated increased social…

A Cambridge, Massachusetts, alternative public school's basic reading program is a rich combination of whole language and individualized phonics. Other strategies to hook kids on reading include 20-minute recreational reading periods with parent volunteers, a weekly book-bag program, reading buddies, special projects, and community helpers from…

Examines possible gender-related criteria for "good schools": (1) How far can schools counteract stereotypes of sex-role specific behavior? (2) How far do developments integrating parents take account of necessary changes in traditional gender-specific role patterns? (3) How do schools ensure equal participation by male and female…

Describes an Auburn University (Alabama) summer program that brings high school students into the veterinary medicine and molecular biology programs, focusing on recruitment and selection of students, aspects of faculty participation, parent involvement, orientation, laboratory work, and student grouping and mentoring. Results of the program to…

Identifies positive outcomes of parental involvement in their children's education. Suggests that, to become involved, parents should: communicate with school professionals; volunteer at school; visit the school; discuss the importance of school with their children; help children develop priorities; provide after-school supervision; establish…

Discusses the linguistic and cultural challenges faced by Japanese students who are receiving their education in U.S. schools. Provides a historical perspective on education in Japan and discusses parent involvement, the culture of Japanese schools, differences in the teacher/student relationship, group identity, gender distinctions, personal…

Draws on an ethnographic study of Japanese middle schools and other data to analyze the Japanese educational concepts of "lifestyle guidance" and "group living," which promote students' egalitarian participation in the life of the school. Examines Japanese ideals of community and participation as the basis of an alternative…

Summarizes Dine College's (New Mexico) leading role in researching diabetes and other Navajo health problems, and its employment of students to help conduct research. States that because of an intimate understanding of their people, students can research topics that outside researchers would not or could not choose. (VWC)

This ethnographic study examined one inclusive early-childhood setting over four weeks. Observations indicated that children with special needs regularly imitated behaviors, words, and skills of typically developing peers, more advanced peers with special needs, and teachers. Individualized interventions were regularly conducted within general…

Driftwood Public School, a K-5 school in Toronto (Canada) with high percentages of immigrant and limited-English-speaking students, has exceeded both provincial and district averages on tests in reading, writing, and math. Success followed an intensive schoolwide effort focusing on high expectations, collaboration within grade-teams of teachers,…

Describes one experience of teaching students advanced research methods by participating in the collection of oral histories and historical documents about the eviction of residents from Shenandoah National Park. Asserts that community college students are capable of doing serious research with the proper guidance and if they become engaged in a…