This training packet on monitoring student progress is 1 of 10 developed by the Study of Adult Basic Education (ABE)/English as a Second Language (ESL) Training Approaches Project to assist ABE instructors, both professionals and volunteers. The packet is intended to stand alone and encompasses a two-session workshop series with activities…

The REACH-6 program was a concerted effort by the Houston (Texas) school district to revamp the instructional quality in six of its elementary schools, with the primary purpose of improving the schools' student academic performance. This report describes the academic performance of the students in the REACH-6 program on the TEAMS and MAT-6 tests…

This book presents overviews of a wide variety of topics that are of priority concern to school district leaders. The topics deal with challenges and issues that are crucial to the success of public schools. The book is designed to get the reader up to speed quickly on important topics and issues, to learn where to get more information about areas…

Recounts a series of primary grade-level literacy-related activities using Margaret Miller's, "Who Uses This?" The book features the occupational tools of various professions and the activities emphasize word construction and recognition, problem solving, shared reading, and interactive writing. Includes a nine-item selected bibliography. (MJP)

Provides a quick and personal overview of the trends in education and literacy over the last 25 years. Outlines a teaching strategy that has borrowed something from each of the trends. The approach combines cooperative learning with interdisciplinary language arts stations and social studies. (MJP)

Recommends using primary source documents in middle school history instruction and examines several strategies for making them more accessible. Describes a course on 17th-century social reformers that utilized paraphrasing of the historical language used in primary documents followed by focus questions and class discussion. (MJP)

In spring 2000, the Southern Regional Education Board, through its Middle Grades Assessment, gathered information from 5,000 eighth-graders and 1,800 middle-grades teachers in 60 schools in 14 states. This brief report describes what that information revealed: a significant difference between the achievement scores of the highest performing 25…

Details the educational objectives achieved by an 8th grade U.S. history class using a cooperative learning research model. Using the Group Investigation Model, the class learned to use text headings, subheads, and key words in their reading. They also became familiar with synthesizing information and linking key ideas. (MJP)

Recounts the successes of Project HAWK (Habitat Alliance and Wildlife Keepers) in Northern California. HAWK consists of various at-risk students brought together for a service learning project constructing and maintaining community gardens. Discusses how the garden was related to traditional curriculum instruction and provides information for…

Profiles a 16-week learning unit that led students to develop literacy in their native Spanish, as well as academic and computing skills. The reading and writing assignments incorporated grammar, geography, and local and family histories to create a sense of pride in the students' community and culture. (MJP)

Describes instructional strategies using primary sources in middle school history instruction. Maintains that students need to make critical, personal connections to material before they understand it. The strategies examined use visual aids, living history presentations, realia, music, and primary documents. (MJP)

Shows how the library/media resource center can become the centerpiece for active social studies learning in the middle grades. Briefly outlines a program beginning with an introduction to the library, followed by some rudimentary bibliographic instruction, culminating in group and individual projects. (MJP)

Reports on an action research study to determine the possibilities of extending language development opportunities for 26 male 4 to 5-year-old students. Describes teaching methods used, including story telling, questioning, and drama. Explores issues that emerged during the study and evaluates teacher behavior. (CFR)

This issue paper summarizes key program elements in the Goals 2000: Educate America Act (P.L. 103-227), signed into law on March 31, 1994. The legislation, designed to codify the eight National Education Goals, authorizes funds for K-12 school improvement and establishes a framework to encourage state and local educational agencies to develop…

Learning objectives for the non-college preparatory mathematics program of the Grossmont Union High School District (California) and a description of the competency-based comprehensive mathematics program of Helix High School (Grossmont School District) are presented. An introduction to the Grossmont program objectives outlines the purpose and…