This action research project describes a program for improving reading fluency in order to increase reading rate and raise comprehension. The targeted population consisted of second and third graders in a middle class community, located in a suburb of a large metropolitan area. The problems of lack of reading fluency and low comprehension were…

This report describes a plan to increase word recognition skills. The targeted population consists of first, second, and fourth grade students in upper middle, middle, and lower socioeconomic communities located in the suburbs outside of a large city. The problem of inadequate word recognition skills was documented through data revealing the…

Exploring the class-size issue, this paper focuses on the primary grades and asks questions such as "does a reduction in class size promote an increase in academic achievement?" and "how substantial does the reduction in numbers have to be in order for a significant increase to occur?" The paper surveys debates on class size…

The purpose of this action research project is to improve student social skills through the use of cooperative learning, in order to develop a positive classroom environment that is conducive to learning. The action research project will involve approximately 95 students, 95 parents, and 200 teachers. It is the intent of the teacher researchers to…

In a study of children's production of narratives written in collaboration with a friend, with an acquaintance (nonfriend), or in an individual performance, a total of 64 fourth graders were asked to write stories over a 2-week period. The study was designed to address two questions: (1) How does the friendship relationship affect stories written…

This action research project devised and implemented an intervention for increasing student engagement in the learning process. The targeted population consisted of elementary students in an urban area in north central Illinois. The problem of non-engaged learning was documented by means of observation of class participation, a student attitude…

The problem presented in this dissertation was to describe and investigate open and traditional classrooms and their effect on black, urban, middle school students' attitudes, creativity, and achievement. Research suggested that specific areas that needed examination were students' attitudes toward school, basic skills, creativity, and…

This thesis seeks to analyze the materials produced by the Project for an Energy Enriched Curriculum (PEEC). Specifically evaluated are the completeness and degree of bias characterizing the materials as an entity. In support of this end, examined are the nature and extent to which the materials treat future energy alternatives and the extent to…

Described is a special program in which 75 educable mentally retarded students were mainstreamed into West Philadelphia High School during the 1975-76 school year, after large percentages of such students had failed in previous years to adjust to regular classes. Discussed are the program goals of emotional, social, and economic adjustement, and…

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between life change and dropout behavior of adult continuing education students. The population used for the study consisted of 100 freshmen adult evening students at Tidewater Community College, Virginia. The adult students were divided into groups of low, medium, and high academic…

The purpose of this study was to establish baseline data relating to the environmental knowledge and beliefs of fifth-year secondary students in England. The instrument developed for the survey consisted of three questionnaires, each containing a total of 45 cognitive and affective items. All items were pilot tested in nine English secondary…

This report describes a program for improving adolescent social skills in order to reduce inappropriate behavioral choices in the classroom setting. The targeted population consisted of third, fifth, and sixth grade students expanding from lower to middle class communities. The lack of social skills in their learning environment was recorded…

This report describes a program for advancing character education by expanding school goals of respect and responsibility and developing emotional intelligence by using the current curriculum. Targeted population consisted of elementary students in one first grade class and one fourth grade class, and middle school students in one sixth grade…

This paper discusses implications of ability grouping in elementary reading instruction according to current research, and how such research can be applied to the classroom practice of "guided reading" within a balanced literacy program. The paper suggests that the "balanced literacy" approach from New Zealand is basically the…

To alleviate the problem of non-engaged readers in first grade classrooms, a program was developed to motivate and support children's love of reading. The targeted population consisted of three first grade classrooms located in three diverse communities in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. The problem was documented through data revealing…