For students to achieve, they must be respected in their schools and visible in their curricula. A curriculum that respects and incorporates culture helps students develop the ability to make reflective personal and public decisions. The curriculum should be conceptual and interdisciplinary and should be based on higher levels of knowledge. Its…

To better understand the views of teachers and administrators on the high school dropout problem, focus groups and nationally representative surveys were conducted of high school teachers and principals. A focus group of superintendents and school board members was also included. To help interpret the results, the authors convened a colloquium…

Like educators around the country, staff in juvenile justice facilities recognize the serious academic challenges that many of their students face because of low levels of literacy achievement. This "Adolescent Literacy Guide" provides guidance to administrators and teachers who want to increase opportunities for students in juvenile…

Reports on a study of student motivation and its relationship to performance. The findings were not definitive but do point to a relationship between motivation and achievement.(MD)

Describes the implementation of an elementary school writing program that motivates students by allowing them to write about their own interests and by encouraging them to comment on each other's works. (PGD)

Describes a special American Studies program that combines literature and history to teach American history. (MD)

Outlines a summer computer program for high school students that provides extra time and experience on computers and familiarizes students with skills needed for the Scholastic Aptitude Test. (MD)

This article explores what it takes to develop systemic strategies and structures that engage youth as coconstructors of their learning environment and experience. It looks at efforts nationwide to engage young people in educational change endeavors, draws on lessons learned from a national high school reform initiative, and addresses some…

Discusses the educational reform movement's progress sine the 1983 landmark report "A Nation At Risk." Praises elementary school principals for concentrating on basic education while secondary schools were lowering graduation requirements. Urges sound leadership, student motivation, higher principal salaries, careful teacher evaluation, and strong…

Outlines the importance of testing in the Mastery Learning process. Points out that as students demonstrate mastery, the amount of paperwork lessens for teachers. (MD)

This National Center for Education Research (NCER) Practice Guide is the second in a series of IES guides in education. The goal of this practice guide is to formulate specific and coherent evidence-based recommendations that educators can use to encourage girls in the fields of math and science. The target audience is teachers and other school…

Teachers and school-based administrators alike have searched to find ways to increase student achievement in their schools. Several widely known and discussed strategies include: (1) using data to drive instruction; (2) employing highly qualified teachers; and (3) improving school leadership. Additionally, positive student engagement in the…

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), Incorporated, has distributed over 57 million books in its 18 years. RIF programs have raised children's interest in reading and their levels of reading achievement, and have increased library use and parent involvement. The national RIF organization offers several forms of support for local programs. (PGD)

Schools are raising standards to improve academic and technical achievement and intellectual growth for all groups of students, particularly at-risk students. This newsletter contains tools and strategies that school leaders and teachers are using successfully to help students meet higher expectations. It organizes the techniques into five…

The Young Astronaut Program (YAP) has reached 500,000 children in 20,000 classrooms. Schools and community groups sponsor YAP, which provides space-related curricular material to encourage students to study science and math. A contact address is given. (JL)