An after-school enrichment activity offered to sixth-grade students gave a group of 10 students an opportunity to explore the effects of the California drought in their community using an engaging scientific device: the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle). Although this activity was specifically designed for a small after-school enrichment group, it…

Nearly 90% of intermediate and middle school students from low-income families in the United States are not proficient in reading. This action research project used a quasi-experimental design to determine the effectiveness of a multi-component reading intervention program for students in grades four through eight at Mother of Sorrows Catholic…

This paper examines an increase in upper elementary class sizes in California associated with the K-3 class size reduction program. I also use the variation in fourth and fifth grade class size generated by idiosyncratic first and second grade reductions required to meet program rules to identify a negative impact of larger class sizes on…

The Change Writers project was born in the Title I schools of Elk Grove, California, when Gail Desler, a technology integration specialist, became motivated to open up the district's mandated "Open Court" curriculum to better serve intermediate-grade students. Through writing, technology, and imagination, a larger conversation was…

The Family Math Program is an outgrowth of the Equals Program at the Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley. Piloted in 1982 in Richmond, California, this widespread program boasts a simple philosophy: Families "doing math" will get the same result as families who read--improved skills and enjoyment. The program also confronts parental…

Describes some lessons learned from studying a California middle school participating in the Accelerated Schools Project. Factors facilitating school change include acknowledging school culture's importance, involving all school community members, and developing a clear training philosophy. Clarifies schools' capacity-building strategies for…

Simple but innovative strategies that fourth-grade California teachers can use for building student knowledge of California geography while reinforcing map skills throughout a typical fourth-grade state studies curriculum are presented. (RM)

Following Orange County, California's well-publicized bankruptcy, Willard Intermediate School staff worry about program cuts and a possible state takeover. Voters oppose a sales tax increase to rescue programs. Located in an urban ghetto with a predominantly Hispanic population, the school was overcrowded before the bankruptcy. Future cutbacks…

In California, the regional partnership structure is being used to support implementation of recommendations for middle level school reform. The partnership's loose structure allows flexibility in financial contribution and opportunities to solicit paying partners from the local community. A support network or forum allows individuals and schools…

Using teachers' professional development as its central strategy, California's Middle Grades Mathematical Renaissance project aims to transform its mathematics program so that all students become empowered mathematically. This article discusses key questions concerning the program's resources, strategies, leadership roles, and monitoring…

Studied how the activities and social development of 9- and 10-year-olds in a variety of southern California neighborhoods are supported or constrained by neighborhood resources and problems. Findings show links between parent perceptions of the neighborhood, rules they impose on their children, and the children's experiences and social skills.…

Finds that, among 544 fourth-sixth graders, Chinese-Americans identified as fluent English proficient or reclassified as such after bilingual education equaled or surpassed non-minority classmates in reading, language, and mathematics achievement scores, but showed intragroup differences by socioeconomic status, point of origin, dialect, and years…

Describes the rationale for and the methods used in four case studies of mathematics teaching in California which are discussed in subsequent articles. The case studies were designed to elicit relationships between teachers' knowledge of mathematics and beliefs about the nature of mathematics teaching and learning and their mathematics…

Researchers examined the effect of writing in response to simple and complex pictures on students' narrative writing. Findings indicated that fourth graders use different composing behavior and produce different written products than do sixth graders, writing more coherently/cohesively for complex than for simple tasks. (SM)

According to a 2-year study of over 1,500 middle-level classrooms in California and Missouri, most writing programs are not woven into the fabric of middle-school programs, practices, or policies. Programs are couched within the English/language arts curriculum. Four factors affect programs--teacher characteristics, commitment to middle-school…