Describes a program that incorporates a variety of techniques to promote and foster dialog and open communication about puberty and sexuality. The program lasts about 2 hours and accommodates from 15 to 50 parent-child teams. It includes autobiographical presentation, film, and discussion. A list of resources is included. (SM)

Measured the influence of parental involvement on the academic achievement of 1,714 eighth-grade Mexican American children. Developed and tested a structural equations model which considers and controls for diversity of family backgrounds and values, students' previous achievements, and other factors. Found that parental involvement did influence…

Analysis of several national surveys found that states collect a tremendous amount of data on educational outcomes, but little on the status of students with disabilities. Trends toward increasing local control concerning decisions of testing participation and accommodation strategies were found. The need for carefully planned inclusion of…

Maintains that, with an average national television viewing time of more than seven hours daily, the prevalence of violence in broadcasts is a serious concern. Summarizes research on the effects of television violence on children. Includes eight suggested student activities to develop critical media skills. (CFR)

Reviews two books on involving father figures in early childhood and on early education as a career choice for males: "Getting Men Involved: Strategies for Early Childhood Programs" (J. A. Levine, and others), and "Men in Child Care and Early Education: A Handbook for Administrators and Educators" (edited by B. G. Nelson and B. Sheppard). (TJQ)

Forward in the Fifth is an organization created to improve the quality of education in Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District, which had the lowest percentage of high school graduates in America. The organization has employed innovative ways to involve the whole community, resulting in widespread cooperation, as well as increased graduation rates…

Asserts that integrating music with core curriculum subjects can improve student achievement in production, perception, and reflection in general music classes. Describes the Arts PROPEL approach, based on the philosophy that students learn best when they are active constructors of their own knowledge. (CFR)

Explores the learning opportunities cooking activities can provide in a kindergarten classroom. Language arts, math, science, fine-motor skills, art, health, music, and social studies are some of the curriculum areas that can benefit from these kind of activities. Cooking also is explored as an opportunity for parent involvement, where parent and…

Discusses the restructuring of the Mankato, Minnesota school media program, accomplished by merging library and technology programs. Addresses time frame; necessary equipment and resources; computer networking; scheduled in-service training; and involvement of parents, teachers, and the school board. A sidebar lists five elements vital to a…

Reports on a study of high school students' perceptions about the importance of academic and sociocultural factors to their participation in college level music and the relationship of these factors to the higher education recruitment process. Finds significant differences related to race, years of experience in a musical group, grade level, and…

Details specific ways to describe progress in the school improvement process (SIP) to first-level stakeholders (students and educators) and second-level stakeholders (parents, administrators, school board members, and community members). The paper illustrates such reporting by describing use of assessment information in relation to the Middle…

Discusses school reform efforts in England that were designed to make England's publicly funded schools as attractive as independent schools via government funding. Efforts include enhancing parental choice of schools by removing bureaucratic and administrative restrictions, establishing a national school inspection system to maintain quality, and…

Addresses one way in which spending less on public schools might actually improve school performance. The article focuses on bringing together those who have the greatest stake in school performance (the parents and the community) as planners and caretakers of their children's education. Such collaboration is viewed as strengthening understanding…

Describes "Western Gunfighters--Myths and Realities," a database for teaching about the Wild West. Includes a focus on process objectives such as identifying cause and effect, formulating hypotheses, distinguishing between fact and opinion, and arranging information in usable forms. Offers instructions and advice for setting up or…

Two university educators use reflective dialogue to discuss processes they went through in understanding the political nature and assumptions of their own pedagogical practices as they searched for methods which would promote teacher empowerment and actively involve students in shaping course curriculum for a language arts class they team taught.…