Two vignettes illustrate the new roles and responsibilities of primary grade and high school teachers under the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA). Effects of the KERA on the changing needs and roles of teachers engaged in systemic reform are discussed. Classroom practice is becoming more activity centered. (SLD)

Discusses questions of school climate and parental involvement that must be considered if general education is to assume the responsibility of educating African-American students with special needs. Practical suggestions are given for professionals deciding the proper place to educate African Americans with special needs. (SLD)

The National Action Plan for Comprehensive School Health Education (CSHE) was created by a committee of health and education experts who identified six issues integral to successful institutionalization of CSHE: policy; awareness; professional preparation and practice; parent, family, and community involvement; educational outcomes and standards;…

Because efforts to curb campus alcohol abuse have largely failed, some colleges are contacting parents when students violate campus alcohol rules. Some institutions fear that sharing disciplinary records with parents violates the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which protects student privacy, but a recent amendment to the Higher…

School administrators must provide leadership in implementing inclusive education by taking ownership of inclusive programs; becoming informed; and promoting open communication between parents, teachers, and board members. Strategies for implementing inclusive programs must consider roles of general- and special-education teachers, administrators,…

Lists 20 basic instructional principles for increasing academic success of at-risk learners, including maintaining high expectations, administering praise, using learning technologies, teaching learning strategies, accommodating learning styles, teaching vocabulary directly, establishing an experiential base for learning, encouraging cooperative…

This study evaluated an in-class service model for third graders at risk of school failure in 13 schools. The model included collaborative consultation, cooperative teaching, parent involvement, and strategic and adapted instruction. Significant effects were found on writing scores for students at risk (but not students with learning disabilities)…

Chronicles development of the Baylor College of Dentistry (Texas) competency-based curriculum and outlines 11 lessons learned concerning strategic planning, external accountability, value of significant and continuing faculty participation, administrative support structures, linking planning and assessment, using multiple assessment methods,…

Reviews research and current trends and issues related to family involvement in children's education. Discusses the need for diverse approaches to involving culturally diverse parents; growing awareness of the importance of fathers' involvement; factors that promote or impede parent participation; achievement-related factors that parents can…

Presents vignettes from grade five, seven, and eight bilingual classrooms with a linguistically and culturally diverse student population, focusing on specific ways that teachers can aid students in constructing meaning in English, promote two-way communication between teacher and student and among students, foster social integration and…

Child-care and health-care professionals joined efforts in the "Healthy Child Care America" campaign to ensure that children are cared for in environments that are safe and healthy. Goals of the campaign include raising awareness of the importance of quality child care, and involving more people in the nationwide effort to improve…

Examined the empirical validity of a model of human motivation as it applies to school success and failure, assessing how indicators of context, self, and action related to measures of risk and resiliency. Subjects were 10- to 16-year-old African American youth in 3 independent samples. Found that parental engagement predicted school performance…

This study examined whether an e-mail keypal relationship between high school alternative physical education students and college kinesiology majors could positively influence high school students' participation in and attitude toward gym class. Results showed that students' attitudes, motivation, and relationships were positively influenced by…

Summarizes the "Free to Learn, Free to Teach" program which draws linkages between considerate and compassionate behavior relevant to young children, and democratic values. Various charts and activities illuminating class, school, and safety rules also instruct the students in such democratic concepts as compromise and consensus. (MJP)

Presents two students' observations and recollections of their trip to the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women held in China. They attended the Conference as part of a delegation of the Girls International Foundation. Briefly discusses the different issues raised during the Conference and the girls' preparation for their trip. (MJP)