Describes 11 effective steps taken by the Duval County (Florida) school board to improve the academic achievement of minority students, as measured by the Stanford Achievement Test. Programs include eliminating social promotion, developing tests of essential skills and minimum skills, involving the family, and helping with personal problems. (IW)

This manual is intended to provide a comprehensive source of information, practical strategies, and tools for managing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using a list format. The lists, checklists, and forms are organized into eight major sections that address the following topics: (1) understanding, diagnosing, and treating ADHD (26…

In the context of the reauthorization of the federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) block grant, research data about the benefits of resulting programs were synthesized and recommendations were made for changes to current law based on the research. Some of the research findings were that those who leave welfare are not earning…

On the assumption that students are more successful if their parents participate at school and encourage education and learning at home, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Project granted funds to 29 Los Angeles schools for the Parents as Learning Partners (PLP) Project. This initiative focuses on three primary areas in which parents and teachers can…

This study summarizes 20 studies of more than 4600 students in kindergarten through Grade 12. Seven hundred sixty of the students have learning disabilities. The studies cover a 22 year period. They looked at students' views, opinions, and attitudes on teacher practices in inclusive, general education classrooms. Seven areas were explored: (1)…

Since at least the 1980s, motivated, in part, by findings from international comparisons of students' mathematics achievement, some American (U.S.) educators and policy makers have initiated educational reform that focuses on improving teaching practices and curriculum designs by advocating for the adoption of Asian educational models. The…

This lesson plan for the second and third grades uses information on dinosaurs, their adaptations and survival, to provide science education for limited-English-proficient (LEP) students in San Diego, California. The primary text is "Los Dinosaurios Gigantes," a core literature book used in the school district. Lessons are based on the whole…

Ideas and guidelines for the organization of effective homework assignments, based on the principle that homework should offer opportunities for learning outside the classroom, are offered. The examples given are for English second language instruction as practiced in public secondary schools in Cyprus, but the principles outlined could be applied…

For as long as people have walked the Earth, they have looked to the stars, have been inspired by their beauty and remoteness and have found their way over sea and deserts by their guidance. Since then, enormous progress has been made in the understanding of the stars, and today the expanding and fascinating world of high-energy astronomy awaits…

This paper presents the results of a comparison of data from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) 4th (n=179) and 8th (n=143) grade student and teacher samples to the data from the 1990 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 4th and 8th grade student and teacher samples. This is part of a larger study of mathematics education in…

This book is intended for foreign language teachers interested in the approaches used in Rudolf Steiner schools, and also classroom teachers who teach foreign languages. Chapters address these issues: what the language lesson is to achieve; how the language lesson differs from other lessons; lesson design; examples of actual lessons; avoiding the…

Swiss-migrant joint associations are coordinating bodies for local services/agencies dealing with migrant problems, are recognized by local authorities, implement government policies toward migrants, and are politically neutral. Membership is drawn from local authorities, educational authorities, churches, political parties, employers'/employees'…

The Blackboard Learning System™, a Web-based server software system, is widely used on many college and university campuses today. This paper explores the use of the Blackboard system as a teaching and learning tool. Particular emphasis is placed on the online chat feature available through the Blackboard interface. During the fall 2002 pilot…

The Maryland Plan for Family, School, and Community Involvement addresses the importance of families, schools, and communities working together to reach academic success for all students. To continuously improve public education in Maryland so that each learner from birth through the completion of high school acquires the skills and knowledge…

This document is comprised of volume 13 of the Harvard Education Letter, published bimonthly and addressing current issues in elementary and secondary education. Articles in the six issues of this volume include: (1) January-February --"Making Detracking Work" (Lynn and Wheelock), "Developing a Culture of High Expectations for…