Strategies are presented for analyzing longitudinal research designs with many waves of data using hierarchical linear modeling. The approach defines well-focused parameters that yield meaningful effect size estimates and significance tests. It is illustrated with data from the Boys Town Follow-Up Study. (SLD)

Details the ways that English teachers can promote empathy and overcome student division through literary study. Provides concrete ways of developing such empathic attitudes, and offers a 34-item annotated bibliography of related literary works. (HB)

Describes methods and strategies by which two teachers have succeeded in engaging their students in gender issues such as nontraditional roles and sexism in literature. (HB)

Describes how a high school chemistry teacher used reading, writing, discussion, and cooperative presentations to reshape examinations so as to teach students as well as assess them. Describes how students had multiple opportunities to express understanding of chemistry concepts and how the teacher could assess students' abilities to communicate…

Discusses the importance and benefits of reading aloud to young children. Presents methods and follow-up strategies using a variety of literature to further develop children's early skills in reading and writing. (RS)

Outlines a four-step plan for maintaining discipline in the second language classroom that focuses on prevention, heading off problems, punishment, and crisis management. Maintains that effective teaching methods that hold student interest can often head off discipline problems. (four references) (MDM)

Reviews the evolution of semicolon use in English, examining the frequency of semicolons, colons, and dashes in grammar, language, and linguistic books from the mid-16th century to the present. Concludes that after flourishing in the 17th and 18th centuries, the semicolon may have become a marginal component of the English punctuation system. (42…

Provides background information on Halloween and its celebration in North America, along with suggestions for student- and teacher-initiated activities for classroom use. The material and activities may be translated or adapted to various target languages in foreign, second, or bilingual education programs. (MDM)

Medical school faculty members' broad understanding of their domains has atrophied as specialization has increased. Medical students need teachers who can integrate the specific areas of a subject with overarching themes. Expanding the values of the university to once again include the scholarship of integration and teaching would provide the best…

Discusses the possible demise of the textbook as new technologies are introduced and notes the conditions necessary for new technologies to become feasible educational alternatives. (AEF)

Discusses the effect of object-oriented programming on the evolution of authoring systems. Topics include the definition of an object; examples of object-oriented authoring interfaces; what object-orientation means to an instructional developer; how object orientation increases productivity and enhances interactivity; and the future of courseware…

Discusses several key components of teaching excellence. Suggests that excellent teachers must demonstrate their knowledge and competence, prepare relevant teaching strategies, relate to students as learners, achieve a balance between student-centeredness and subject-content orientation, influence student learning motivation, manage classroom…

Describes the notion of second chances and its application to education. Presents a framework for evaluating second-chance programs based on accessibility and selection, adjustability of applicants, adjusted educational methods, productivity, accreditation, and acknowledgement. Examines possible illusions and rituals preventing a genuine second…

A kindergarten teacher used portfolio assessment with her students. After researching portfolios, she compiled a list of components for her classes and began the school year. She found that students were enthusiastic about portfolios, parents felt portfolios told more than report cards, and she could better see student growth. (Author/SM)

It is assumed that evaluators of the future will still be interested in case study methodology. Scenarios that ignore a case study method, that look back to a distinctive case study method, and that see the case study method as an integrating force in the qualitative-quantitative debate are explored. (SLD)