Examines the influence of a regular book borrowing service designed to enable and encourage parents to read to their children. Finds no statistically significant difference between control and experimental groups on a reading test, but finds an unexpectedly high level of parental interest. (RS)

This paper describes the ongoing action research program at a residential school for students with emotional and behavior disorders in England. Structured "cooperative play" is used to improve language and behavior skills of students, train adults, and provide a research setting in which changes can be observed, recorded, and…

Using accelerating exclusion rates from one British local education authority shows that some children--particularly certain adolescents--are becoming scapegoats of systemic failure. By being excluded, these children are deprived of their rights to education and proper attention to their emotional and behavioral needs. Responsible parties must…

Explores the role and significance of co-operation, or clustering, between small primary schools in rural areas across England and Wales. Describes small-school cluster groups in detail and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of clustering based on the opinions of sample headteachers. Considers the future of cluster co-operation. (Contains…

This paper explores standards and criteria that can be used to judge the validity of qualitative data as evidence of educational improvement. The paper reports on a self study of the educative relationship between two teacher educators: Pam, from a university school of education, and Moyra, director of an inservice education program at a large…

The challenges facing urban elementary and secondary schools are like those facing suburban and rural schools, but there are complex circumstances that complicate efforts by urban school systems to carry out their mission. Schools in the cities have more students from impoverished homes, more foreign-born or minority group students, and more…

This paper considers the purposes, methods, findings, and significance of the British Library LESSEN (Learning Support for Special Education Needs) Project. The focus was on Year 7 students (students aged 11-12, in their first year of secondary education) in ten English secondary schools who were on the Special Educational Needs (SEN) register…

A study looked at the past, present, and future of higher education in FE (Further Education) colleges in England, with reference to the changing policy context for this activity and the contemporary conditions for growth. Based on an analysis of secondary and statistical sources, the research highlighted these three key features in the…

A series of four consultative meetings between the Local Education Authority of Derbyshire, England and voluntary organizations representing various disabilities is described. Major issues which emerged during discussions included resources, the role of special schools in integration, the 1981 Education Act and Multi-professional Assessment, and…

The Urban Experience program at one British college provided a two-week residential experience involving daily placements in urban schools and in social service and other caring agencies so preservice teachers would have a broader picture of the social factors impacting students and an understanding of ethnic and cultural diversity. (SM)

Describes educational innovations that have taken place at Fearnhill School (Letchworth Garden City, England) as part of the Education 2000 project. Highlights include moving from teaching to learning; cooperation between teachers, community groups, and private sponsors; use of the library; computer technology, including conferencing; and the role…

Describes a few carefully focused interventions and concerted efforts between schools, colleges, and the community that have been experimented with and have been found to be very successful in improving the standards in both primary and secondary schools in the urban areas of England. (CMK)

This publication describes the program at Bishopswood Special School (Oxfordshire, England) which has gone from serving children (ages 2-16) with severe learning difficulties in a special school setting to full integration of all pupils and staff into three mainstream schools. Bishopswood School is described as currently having its own budget,…

This report presents the main findings of the first phase of an ongoing study on improving the quality of children's early learning in England and Wales. The purpose of the project is to investigate the ways in which early learning in group settings can be improved by raising the quality of the practice of those professionals who work with young…

Using an action research model, this study concentrated on easing the transition into school by providing an induction program for preschool children which promotes the emotional needs of the child within the family. The research followed an ecological perspective, considering individual needs within the frameworks of school, home, and community…