One of the recommendations of the "Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland" report (ALNIS), published in 2001, was that progress against its recommendations should be reviewed at the end of the third year of the national initiative. This HMIE report contributes to that review of progress. The report confirms that the initiative is having…

Describes the evolution and success of Scotland's Adult Basic Education (ABE) program, staffed with paid and volunteer tutors in literacy, numeracy, social, and other skills. Illustrates regional differences in ABE skill offerings, students, and staffs with examples from various areas. Stresses the underlying adaptability of ABE to student needs.…

Frequently, tutorial or seminar members take no part in discussion, a feature considered essential to this teaching method. Tutors may be largely responsible by dominating discussion. Student participation can be increased by varying teaching methods; reducing discussion group size, brainstorming, idea development techniques, and student…

Students participating in tutorial programs--both as tutors and tutees--show greater cognitive and attitudinal gains than do students who are not involved in such programs. However the common belief that tutorial programs greatly enhance participants' self-esteem appears to be groundless. (Author/JM)

The evolution of a group monitoring system directed at rendering the monitoring process more open, as well as improving feedback and direct tutor involvement in the process, is described. Issues discussed at Open University tutors' meetings include grading standards and personal knowledge of students. (AF)

Addresses issues relevant to the implementation of tutoring programs in a four-step sequence: (1) obtaining institutional support and selecting a director; (2) choosing facilities and determining the types of tutors required; (3) selecting, training, and supervising tutors; and (4) determining hours of service, recording-keeping requirements, and…

Open University courses are defined as processes of interaction between students, the materials, and the tutors. Using this definition, the stages of course development, major purposes of feedback, and major audiences for feedback are discussed with particular emphasis on the role of the tutor and student in course development. (JMF)

A self-instructional language program can offer rewarding and stimulating study to the motivated and gifted student. It provides a challenging approach to language learning and an opportunity to study a language not offered in the curriculum. Lessons are recorded on tape cassettes; lab work and tutorial sessions are used. (CHK)

Highlights a practicum course designed to train upper-level undergraduates as English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) writing tutors for their peers. The course offers tutors intensive, basic training in tutoring, TESL, and pedagogical grammar for 2 weeks before they begin tutoring. (Author/VWL)

Explains President Clinton's "America Reads Challenge," a promising initiative that brings together volunteer literacy and reading tutors from the community, working to supplement and support the primary work of classroom teachers. At the heart of the new initiative is the understanding that a good start to a strong education requires…

Investigates factors associated with endeavors to improve science teaching. Two coaching models used by science educators and by peer teachers were used over a period of six months. Neither program was successful. Five assertions emerged from interviews and observation data. Major impediments were beliefs about teaching and poor science knowledge.…

High school administrators, counselors, and teachers can support, assist, and nurture incoming ninth graders. Principals should share middle-level and high school buildings, teachers, and preparation time; organize ninth-grade students and teachers into interdisciplinary teams; conduct regularly scheduled advisory programs; assign upperclass…

Recent research supports Vygotsky's "zone of proximal development" theory; children receiving peer assistance can stretch their learning beyond their individual accomplishment. A study of a multiage classroom revealed three strategies used by children working together to solve math problems--modeling, tutoring, and pairing/sharing…

The director of the Chicago Academy for School Leadership addresses the kind of leadership that would have kept her, a former English teacher, from failing a struggling African-American student 30 years ago. A culture of collegial support, mentoring/coaching, results-driven professional development, and instructional leadership would have helped.…

Surveyed students from the Open University (United Kingdom) about their expectations of their tutor's role in distance learning. Findings show that knowledge of student expectations allows tutors to adapt and improve their teaching strategies. Appendixes display results of pre- and postcourse interviews and questionnaires. (JMV)