Four science education fact sheets are presented and focus on: (1) creationism vs. evolution; (2) science careers; (3) science activities for special students; and (4) the role of the laboratory in science teaching. The first fact sheet was prepared to assist teachers, curriculum coordinators, and others in dealing with the teaching of evolution…

The six tape album contains 11 presentations given at the Conference on Education's Responsibility for Disruptive, Alienated, and Incarcerated Youth. Tapes provide the following material: an overview of the conference, including comments from participants and chairpersons; "The Contemporary Situation--Its Assessment" (R. Sarri); "From the Inside,"…

This critical review synthesizes information related to the use of the laboratory in science programs. Several approaches to the use and/or role of the laboratory in science teaching are presented, including historical and research perspectives, opinion statements, a review of current research, and suggestions for future research. Concluding…

Thirteen author contributed papers are presented from a 1979 conference on disruptive, alienated, and incarcerated youth. Presenters represented fields of education, social work, public policy, and psychology. Included are the following titles and authors: "Juvenile Justice: Where We Have Been and Are Today" (R. Sarri); "Youth as a National…

Turning around a low-performing school is a complex process in which cause-effect relationships are difficult to isolate. But recent interest in helping low-performing schools--spurred on by the reforms mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act--has generated some useful research and thoughtful analysis. This digest explores some of the key…

Traditionally an urban problem, gang involvement is growing on Native American reservations. This digest examines common factors in gang development and one tribe's response through a Native-centric education and juvenile justice system. The sum of handicaps associated with gang involvement has been termed "multiple marginality," and…

This series of five interrelated modules is an update and revision of "Saving the Native Son: Empowerment Strategies for Young Black Males (1996)." It offers specific strategies for empowering young African American males to help them achieve optimal educational and social success. Empowerment is a developmental process by which people who are…

This monograph explores issues related to school choice by examining available evidence for the success of choice plans. It begins with an overview of the choice movement and then describes several specific plans that illustrate the various plan types. It concludes with an appraisal of how choice will change and shape urban school reform in the…

This Digest discusses provisions in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that require functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) and behavioral intervention plans (BIPs) to be conducted prior to a change in placement or suspension for more than 10 days, based on inappropriate behaviors for students with disabilities. It presents…

This mini-bibliography lists readings and resources relating to children and adolescents with autism. It includes annotated bibliographies for sources that address: (1) social skills training for children and adolescents with autism; (2) Asperger syndrome; (3) Individualized Education Programs for students with autism; (4) teaching strategies for…

Although apprenticeship used to be viewed as academically questionable, today many educators consider it an ideal vehicle for the work-based learning necessary for the school-to-work transition. In particular, youth apprenticeships are seen as having potential to minimize youth floundering in the labor market, ensure educative work experiences,…

This digest discusses comprehensive training planning for students with disabilities and ways educators can facilitate the involvement of students with disabilities in helping to formulate the Individualized Transition Plan component of the Individualized Education Program (IEP). Strategies for encouraging student participation include: (1) begin…

State policies greatly affect the decisions rural districts make about building or renovating school facilities. State, federal, and local mechanisms for funding school facilities are briefly described. Some states require a specific percentage of growth or decline in student population or a minimum number of students as a prerequisite for…

This literature review examines research-based information on educational approaches and programs associated with improving the academic performance of Native American students. A search reviewed ERIC's over 8,000 documents on American Indian education, as well as master's and doctoral dissertations and other sources of research on the education…

This digest summarizes the results of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) as they relate to the interests of K-12 science teachers. TIMSS student achievement results for science are presented along with a brief discussion of how to interpret the scores. The findings of the TIMSS curriculum study and their implications are…