Like many states throughout the nation, Pennsylvania is in the midst of major reforms to its teacher evaluation system. Under the new system, the state will base annual evaluations on several measures, including supervisor observations using the Framework for Teaching (FFT) and, for many teachers, their contributions to student achievement growth…

One of the key features that draws many people to play video games is the fact that they are interactive. Video games allow the user to be actively engaged and in control of the action (Prensky, 2006). Seventh grade students at Canonsburg Middle School are actively engaging in the creation of video games. The students are engaged at a much deeper…

In eastern Pennsylvania, middle schoolers are teaching the teachers how to use technology effectively in the classroom. This article describes the Technology Wizards program which was developed by the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit's Department of Instructional Innovation. It is a radical departure from traditional educational professional…

The need to improve math education around the country has been well documented, especially in urban school systems like Philadelphia. In Spring 2010, only 56.6% of students in Philadelphia Public schools scored proficient or advanced on the Pennsylvania State Standardized Assessment (PSSA). In Philadelphia Empowerment Schools, the 107 lowest…

This study investigated the effects of different versions of Web-based instruction focused on text structure on fifth- and seventh-grade students' reading comprehension. Stratified random assignment was employed in a two-factor experiment embedded within a pretest and multiple posttests design (immediate and four-month delayed posttests). The two…

Can educationally disadvantaged pupils' attitudes, interests and knowledge concerning the world of work be improved through visual literacy techniques (VLT) and the Great World of Work Curriculum Guide (GWWCG)? Subjects were 158 educationally disadvantaged boys from the Harrisburg Middle School. The "Vocational Development…

An evaluation of a project which initiated an organized program of vocational guidance for the Lower Dauphin Junior High School in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania is described. A special program emphasis had been developed for each of the three grade levels. It was not possible to evaluate the grade 8 program; however, two evaluation forms were used in…