Discusses full inclusion of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) secondary students in Florida, reviewing inclusion as an instructional program in special education and in ESL; presenting related concerns; examining reasons for inclusion (comprehensible instruction, opportunities for participation and interaction, and appropriate curriculum); and…

Used meta-analytic and narrative procedures to integrate results of 93 evaluations of summer school. Found that summer programs focusing on remedial or accelerated learning or other goals impacted positively on participants' knowledge and skills. Middle class students showed larger positive effects than disadvantaged students. Remedial programs…

A course at Southeastern Louisiana University prepares special education teachers to collaborate with rural families having children with disabilities. Precourse, postcourse, and 2-year followup questionnaires found that participants had a new understanding of family dynamics and the impact on the family of a special-needs child and developed…

This reaction to an article (Bailey, 2001) that describes three potential levels of accountability for providing family support in early intervention and preschool programs, recommends helping all family members of children with disabilities, helping parents identify programs in the community, and identifying the most appropriate professionals for…

This article describes the Math Peer Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS), a research-based practice developed with heavy teacher involvement. A case study of a school where Math PALS was developed, researched, and continues in use is followed by a discussion of principles for sustaining the use of research-based practices. Extensive figures detail…

Presents a "Learning Process on Lay-offs" program designed to focus English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teachers' energies on developing and managing a learning process that allows them to respond, on an on-going basis, to their learners' needs appropriately and creatively, especially with regard to the changing work world. (one…

This article discusses problems with traditional top-down methods of disseminating educational innovations to teachers and proposes a conceptual framework in which teachers share a primary role with educational researchers in the development of innovative practices. Focus is on the critical dimensions of teacher change as they participate in the…

Addresses the need of involving the family and aspects of child development into helping children achieve academic success. Several collaborative efforts are highlighted, and the key features of strategies for collaboration are discussed. The article concludes with analysis of these collaborative efforts to determine the lessons to be learned. (GR)

Planning meetings requires careful attention to three essential elements: purpose, participants' needs and expectations, and a suitable agenda. Meetings are great for problem solving, professional development, and team building. Serving snacks; choosing a comfy, well-arranged setting; adopting brainstorming rules; and involving teachers as…

Recommends music teachers setting up management systems that delegate some tasks to others in order to accomplish their myriad duties and avoid burnout. Contains numerous examples of delegated tasks, including student self-governing systems and home practice systems. Describes how some tasks can be handled by student organizations. (MJP)

Maintains that choral programs' need for accompanists provides a learning opportunity for student musicians. Discusses the problems inherent in this relationship. Recommends forming an accompanist class that meets once a week after school and works on specific skills. (MJP)

This interview with a school principal, Efrain Vila, argues that staff development is crucial in school reform. Teachers cannot be asked to use new processes if they do not have opportunities to learn how to use them. His school's faculty meetings always include staff development components. Parent involvement is also essential. (SM)

Five years of research on collaborative practices have led the Center on Families, Communities, Schools, and Children's Learning to formulate 10 policy recommendations for a comprehensive program of school, family, and community partnerships to improve the academic achievement and social success of all students. (SLD)

The School Based Youth Services program of New Jersey has received national acclaim as an effort to place social and health services within the public schools to reduce fragmentation of services. Case studies describe the program in operation in three high schools, and program successes are detailed. (SLD)

Interviewed parents and teachers to determine their communication preferences. Determined that teachers and parents prefer face-to-face communication, find it difficult to schedule meetings, and rarely discuss personal or emotional issues. Proposed strategies to improve communication patterns between teachers and parents, especially those working…