A survey of secondary mathematics teachers' (n=28) preferences in textbook characteristics and uses indicates that characteristics related to student usability outside of the classroom are important. The most important textbook use was for student exercises in class and for homework. (16 references) (MDH)

Examined effects of parental involvement on achievement of eighth-grade students. Analyzed data from 21,814 students and their parents. Results suggest that parental involvement in students' academic lives is powerful influence on eighth-grade students' achievement. Effect held for all academic areas and appeared to result in part from increased…

The effects of promoting families to be involved in the homework of their middle-grades children, and the effect of involvement on student achievement in mathematics were studied with families of 74 white sixth graders. Prompted families were significantly more involved in homework. Level of family involvement was not significantly related to…

Discussion of the parents' role in homework highlights use of the Big6 Skills to focus on information literacy and information problem-solving processes rather than focusing on having parents help with the actual subject area content. The emphasis is on having parents act as guides and helpers rather than as teachers. (LRW)

Describes an Internet-based course in Beam Physics offered at Michigan State University (MSU) as part of the Virtual University Degree program. Discusses the importance of local contact persons, technical aspects, equipment, the Internet-based homework assignments, difficulties encountered, and future activities. (Author/AEF)

A homework-intervention training program for parents of male children with average or better skills and ability was evaluated. A series of individual parent consultation and training sessions were used to teach specific homework interventions. A multiple baseline design across participants produced favorable results over the school year.…

Comparison of 272 U.S. and 219 Korean seventh graders showed that those who had homework preferences often were not able to do their homework the preferred way. Students in the two countries had substantially different homework preferences and styles, many reflecting different cultural behavior norms. (SK)

Summarizes results of a nationwide survey to determine secondary principals' attitudes toward selected aspects of block scheduling. All 69 participants (from 10 states) expressed full support for block scheduling. Many principals expressed concerns about student maturity, sequential course offerings, and time spent on homework. Schedule…

Considers the benefits of having teens train public library patrons in technology use. Discusses what teens want from libraries, including access to technology, technology training, and homework help; what teens need to learn, depending on the patrons they will be helping; and training methods, including role playing. (LRW)

A study compared the academic and learning characteristics of three students with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders (AD/HD), three gifted students, and three gifted students with AD/HD. Giftedness conferred benefits related to specific talents but did not offer protection from the negative outcomes of AD/HD, such as inattention and…

The effects of using a multicomponent intervention package to support classroom performance of 4 high school students with mental retardation enrolled in general education classes were investigated. Modification of teacher-assigned worksheets, instruction in assignment completion, self-monitoring, goal evaluation, and including students in setting…

Presents the goals, philosophy, and methods of the SPLASH (Student-Parent Laboratories Achieving Science at Home) program. Describes an at-home, parental-involvement activity called Moon Watch in which students and their parents observe how the phases of the moon and the moon's position in the sky change over a two-week period. (WRM)

A study investigated how providing choice opportunities to children (ages 5-9) with autism impacted their performance during teacher-assigned homework activities. Results showed that providing the students with opportunities to make choices regarding the order to task completion and use of stimulus materials improved participants' accuracy,…

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between adolescent computer use and academic achievement. Questionnaires and seven-day time logs were used to gather data from 101 tenth-grade students in southwestern Ohio. The adolescents both estimated and documented their computer use. The correlation between computer use and…

Homework problems among students with learning disabilities can be attributed to two primary causes: (a) students' characteristics (e.g., poor motivation, problems in listening comprehension, lack of organizational skills), and (b) teachers' deficits in making assignments (e.g., assigning work that is too difficult or time-consuming, failing to…