This publication shares highlights from the Eisenhower Professional Development Evaluation Conference, also introducing the upcoming Improving America's Schools (IAS) Conferences. The Eisenhower conference focused on improving content knowledge and instructional practice through effective professional development. The IAS conference will examine…

This publication synthesizes recent research about standards-based education. It is intended to inform efforts to improve low-performing schools and create or sustain standards- based, high-performing learning communities. The five chapters are: (1) "Literacy for All Children" (aspects of literacy, reading, writing, and exemplary literacy teachers…

This digest summarizes the results of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) as they relate to the interests of K-12 science teachers. TIMSS student achievement results for science are presented along with a brief discussion of how to interpret the scores. The findings of the TIMSS curriculum study and their implications are…

The newly updated report is an essential tool for school leaders and practitioners alike, and is the single most authoritative source for effective K-12 teaching and learning practices across the content areas. This one volume brings together in readable, concise language the authoritative research on effective classroom practices in all major…

In April 2002, Jeffrey Fouts (2002) presented a longitudinal study of student performance in Washington using Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) results from 1998 to 2001. Although constrained by the lack of individual student identification numbers at that time, he concluded that success on the WASL in the 4th grade was a strong…

This report includes data from 18,116 public high schools which furnished information to the Bureau of Education concerning their activities for the school year ending in June, 1928. The tabulations include the number of schools of various types, the number of administrators, the number of teachers, the number of pupils enrolled, the subjects…

Each year over one million high school students complete the SAT[superscript R] I. Information on repeat testing and the probability that a student's SAT I score will change may help students and educators make better-informed decisions about retesting. This information would also be useful for high school counselors who advise students regarding…

The continuing interest which American educators and other citizens have attached to Soviet schools and their development has served to encourage the U.S. Office of Education in its efforts to provide the most complete and verified information obtainable on the subject. As expressed in "Soviet Commitment to Education, Report of the First…

Describes an interdisciplinary, ornithology unit suitable for grades 4-6. Art, mathematics, language arts, and social studies activities require approximately 2 weeks to complete. An annotated list of six references is included. (JN)

Maintains that middle school is a crucial time to select challenging courses to maximize the high school experience and to open the widest range of choices for college and careers. Advocates college preparatory mathematics and science courses and describes a tool kit to help schools improve mathematics achievement. Suggests raising community and…

Describes the use of the principles of challenging work, student autonomy, and student collaboration to involve students in constructing mathematical meaning as part of the regular curriculum. Challenge is created by the material and by the classroom environment to encourage student interest and thinking. Autonomy is encouraged by leading students…

Examined the transcripts of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) and non-ESL students at 10 community and senior colleges in New York to compare grades in six categories of academic courses. Findings revealed that ESL students performed satisfactorily in comparison to their non-ESL peers with two exceptions. (11 references) (Author/CK)

In an experiment designed to dissociate the effects of instructional approach and system interface on learning in computer-based instruction, 18- to 30-year-old high school graduates with low mathematics ability were tested before and after completing three mathematics practice modules. Found that low ability students may not learn from computers…

Describes how technology was integral to the redesign of an undergraduate secondary mathematics education class. The article reviews fundamental concepts important for construct theory, including a description of the way technology was used to restructure the course. It draws implications for technology support of construct theory, learning, and…

Describes a study of economically disadvantaged first and second graders in Chile that evaluated the effects of the introduction of educational videogames into the classroom on mathematics and reading comprehension. Investigated effects on learning, motivation, and classroom dynamics; teachers' expectations of change; and technological transfer.…