Evaluation frames offer a practical, adaptable site-based staff development approach that serves as a vehicle for clarifying needs and planning. Evaluation frames within staff development empower teachers to define and design innovations around their unique experiences. The paper describes the method and presents a sample staff development…

A study examined processes involved in mathematics course selection among Latino students, particularly parent involvement. Data on 11,787 students drawn from the National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988 indicate that parental involvement proved advantageous for making informed curricular decisions for White and upper socioeconomic status…

Introduces the Parent Writing Folder Review assessment strategy for eighth-grade children's writing, whereby parents discuss the student's writing with them and complete a written evaluation. Describes how evaluation of parents' reflections about children's writing found that they indicated growth in children's writing, identified areas for…

Describes how one North Dakota middle school taught students self-management skills for active lifestyles. Students learned basic principles of activity through classroom activities and were encouraged to establish and maintain after-school activities. Heart rate monitors helped teach the concepts of physical activity as detailed on the Fitness…

Asserts that social studies often emphasizes abstract concepts illustrated with obscure historical references. Argues that the introduction of feminist issues of social justice, exploitation, violence, and power can galvanize many of the central issues of social studies. Considers the use of language and how it restricts and validates certain…

Explains nondirective or pupil-centered teaching, an alternative to traditional education in the Soviet Union. Uses Vygotsky's area of proximal development to envision teaching methods that anticipate and promote higher development levels. Stresses humanistic approach, involving students and responding to individual needs. Also proposes in-depth…

Describes the Teaching Enrichment Activities for Minorities (TEAM) project designed to give minority students in Dade County (Florida) elementary schools experience in the type of thinking skills that are required for placement in gifted and advanced programs. (FMW)

Maintains that, from very different points on the ideological spectrum, citizenship and citizenship education have been added to the political agenda. Argues that political theory, distinct from descriptive civics, is more relevant to the political development of citizens. (CFR)

Elaborates on specific ways that the National Standards can improve high school civics education. Suggests three interrelated key approaches: adapting the standards to current textbooks, making the course practical for each individual student, and utilizing activities to involve the whole class. (MJP)

Tested a family process model that links family financial resources and parental educational attainment to academic competence during early adolescence on 90 rural African American youths ages 9-12 and their parents. Parental educational attainment was linked with family financial resources and with parental involvement with the adolescent's…

Maintains that community enterprise projects help students develop academic, personal, and transferable skills, while enabling underfunded not-for-profit groups to achieve some of their goals. Provides several examples of programs and suggests methods of improvement. (MJP)

An eighth-grade teacher implemented several Total Quality Management methods in his social studies (civics) class in the middle of the academic school year. Using diagrams, he taught students ways to organize their work, generate ideas, and solve problems. Using student involvement, he developed ways to help students solve their homework problem.…

Provides a chronological overview of the struggle for women's suffrage in the United States. Describes the role of individual women and women's organizations in the struggle. Includes primary sources, teacher resources, and a political cartoon. (CFR)

Presents a narrative case study based on the use of cooperative learning in a 10th-grade global studies class. Focuses on ethnic groups and emerging issues related to national sovereignty. Describes student participation in group discussions about these topics. (CFR)

A unique, successful staff development program in three Louisville (Kentucky) middle schools provides opportunities for teachers of disadvantaged students to build pedagogical skills. The High5 Project promotes strategies for realizing high expectations, content, support, energy, and involvement. The paper examines change strategies and discusses…