A fifth grade student with a mentally retarded sibling reports on a followup study on the effectiveness of a classroom lesson she taught to improve second grader attitudes toward mental retardation. Positive attitudes were maintained one year later. Other third graders receiving instruction by the author or her friends also showed improved…

Cooperative learning focuses group activity on preparing all members to succeed on individual assessments. Research findings show significantly greater achievement for the cooperatively taught class. Describes the elements of two comprehensive cooperative methods and proposes a model of a cooperative elementary school. (MLF)

Addresses the need for a theoretical analysis of the peer tutoring process by discussing: definitions of the process, the psychological and educational processes in peer tutoring as a learning and teaching experience, and the conceptualization of peer tutoring as a cooperative social system and a group reward structure. (Author/ABB)

In 1983 the Far West Laboratory's instructional management program established Peer-Assisted Leadership (PAL), a unique professional development program for principals. No longer isolated, principals help each other develop analytical and other skills to become better instructional leaders. MLH)

When one student tutors another, both gain. This article (1) recounts the origins of peer tutoring; (2) summarizes the relevant research; and (3) describes three programs around the country where tutoring is applied to computer education, hands-on science lessons, and basic skills instruction. (LHW)

Describes a 1982 program at Sarasota County School System (Florida) that trained teachers as student advisors when five junior high schools became middle schools. Explains measures to overcome teacher resistance to advisement sessions, the benefits of developing teacher-trainers, and resultant gains in teachers' self-confidence. (MLH)

To eliminate the lack of systematic feedback in cooperative learning, this study used a 2 x 2 (Student Teams x Mastery Learning) factorial design to investigate the effects of student teams using mastery learning strategies on mathematics achievement of fifth-grade children. The results and their implications are discussed. (Author/MT)

A review of 17 studies on tutoring behaviorally disordered students revealed that tutoring can have a positive effect on both the tutor's and the tutee's academic achievement and can increase social relations of the tutoring dyad as well as attitudes toward content area. However, ancedotal reports of improved general social functioning, are not…

The paper illustrates practical and cost-effective ways students can share responsibility in delivering instruction, preparing materials, assessing progress, recordkeeping, and improving motivation. (CL)

Physical education teachers can establish successful therapeutic exercise programs for mainstreamed handicapped students by involving peer helpers in a carefully designed program. (CL)

Mildly retarded students (11-13 years old) who participated in an intraclass peer tutoring program had significantly higher gain scores (pretest-posttest) on both vocabulary and reading subtests than did 62 controls. (CL)

Training teachers in collegiality during the teacher education program, an approach to counter teacher isolation, is described. Such programs should accommodate and encourage dialogue among prospective teachers. One example of how teacher educators are striving to foster such collegial relationships is given. (Author/CB)

Describes a peer facilitation program in interpersonal communication. Covers practicum site, duties of peer facilitators, staff meetings, compensation, selection, and benefits. (PD)

An individualized peer inservice training program incorporated visits to demonstration-training classrooms and follow-up at an after-school conference. Seventy-six percent of secondary and 75 percent of elementary teachers reported changes for their classes as a direct result of their visits. Demonstration-training teachers cited benefits as well.…

Schools and districts across the country have long been focused on ensuring that students succeed in life and participate effectively in society. With the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act, efforts to realize this goal for all students have intensified. Though many children are successfully meeting state and local academic standards, others…