This document describes Project A+, a cooperative school and privately funded program designed to assist the Austin Independent School District (AISD) in becoming an exemplary school district by the year 2000. The project is divided into four components. The curriculum development component presents three new curricula piloted in AISD schools in…

The Living Library is a library where students can check out classroom pets as well as books. This guide describes the installation and implementation of a Living Library. The guide is presented in the following 10 sections: (1) a description of and rationale for a Living Library; (2) an implementation timeline developed for the intermediate…

A large percentage of practicing teachers has not had courses in urban education or multicultural studies. This volume attempts to fill the void for teachers who find themselves teaching minority students but are unsure about how to best meet their needs. An overview is provided of many issues that are essential in teaching minority students.…

A study was done of recent district-initiated reform movements by analyzing different belief systems regarding schools and reform and by applying the analysis to a study of a district widely known for its leading role in implementing reforms. Belief System I is consistent with traditional organizational theory and top-down management. Belief…

A survey of educational activities of adults in the United States was a component of the 1991 National Household Education Survey, a telephone survey of 12,568 adults. This survey found that 32 percent of adults, defined as persons aged 17 and over, were enrolled in a part-time educational activity over a 12-month period in 1990-91. Eleven percent…

This study examined postschool vocational options for people with disabilities in New South Wales (Australia), by means of a survey and interviews with representatives of government agencies, tertiary education facilities, and unions and employer organizations. Results indicated a lack of vocational facilities for young people with severe…

This document describes eight models of local and state special education efforts that are providing viable ways for parents to become more involved in their children's education. The models are designed to develop effective two-way communication and collaboration between parents and teachers, develop methods for parents to actively support their…

This report describes and evaluates a program to improve the dental health of Hispanic migrant children in a Los Angles County school district. Difficulties in providing dental health care to this population included the high cost of dental care, limited access to dental services, poor nutrition, and lack of parental involvement. The 3-month…

This report examines several important trends and issues in urban education and minority education. It reviews major principles for rethinking urban schooling so that students from diverse racial, ethnic, linguistic, and gender groups will be able to receive a more equal education, and it considers specific issues in their education. The focus is…

Interest in the quality of after-school programs has been increasing. It is recognized that, in urban and low-income areas, after-school programs are essential to counteract the effects of a number of factors contributing to a student's lack of opportunities and ability to succeed academically. However, information on the types of programs that…

This report discusses the findings of a study that examined the participation and performance of students with disabilities in the 1996 Minnesota Basic Standards Tests in reading and mathematics. Results indicated that approximately 70 percent of Minnesota's 8th grade students with disabilities participated in the Basic Standards Tests during the…

This new edition provides helpful information to busy mainstream teachers seeking practical advice on how they can more effectively include, instruct, and nurture limited-English-proficient (LEP) migrant students. Most of the strategies promoted are recommended for all students, not just LEP students. Chapter 1 presents cultural information to…

This paper presents a study of factors influencing students' perceived learning in a World Wide Web-based course environment. Qualitative and quantitative methods were employed in the process of data collection and analysis. Results indicated that percent of grade weight on discussion and instructor's specification of requirements of students'…

Parents as School Partners is a volunteer research initiative of the National Council of Jewish Women and its research institute, called the Center for the Child. This initiative focuses on parent involvement to promote children's school success. This document contains a project overview and six accompanying reports providing a detailed…

The cases in this book, based on classroom observations and interviews with principals and key teachers at 17 California middle schools, focus in depth on middle-grade reform in the classroom. Organized in four chapters, the cases look at four critical areas of curriculum and instruction: (1) heterogeneous grouping; (2) cooperative learning; (3)…