This digest analyzes the definitions of disability in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It notes that, in order to be eligible for special education services under the act, the child must meet two criteria: (1) he/she must have one or more of the specific disabilities listed in the act, and (2)he/she must require special…

This Digest aims to provide useful Internet resources for K-12 teachers who would like to integrate children's and adolescent literature into their curriculum. Preparation of this Digest began with a retrospective review of literature-related questions received over the last two years by the Reference staff of the ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading,…

Noting that research has shown that the more extensive the parent involvement, the higher the student achievement, this Digest discusses standards for parent/family involvement and describes online resources that can help parents and educators attain those standards. It discusses existing national standards for family involvement programs and…

This digest offers a snapshot of the standards movement: its origins, the definitions of standards and which ones matter, its successes at the district and state levels, the backlash against the movement, and possible policy directions. While a broad coalition of constituencies has embraced standards-based reform as a means of improving public…

Focuses on the importance of fostering positive attitudes toward reading. (AEA)

Suggests that adolescent literature should be credited with more substance and usefulness for pleasurable reading and literature instruction. (AEA)

Discusses materials in the ERIC system that offer definitions of basic skills, describe secondary basic skills programs, and provide competency standards and catalogs for basic skills. (MKM)

Provides educational resources for teaching geography from the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC). Includes units on the Model United Nations, China, Middle America, and the United States. Resources stress themes of economic, political, and social interactions and interdependence. Provides simulations, maps, sample tests, and lesson…

Presents resources available from the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) designed to help teachers implement strategies to reduce prejudice. Includes resources on using cooperative learning in prejudice reduction and resources for combating prejudice in the social studies classroom. Discusses four types of strategies for decreasing…

Annotates articles, dissertations, and papers on the subject of research in the teaching of English. Organizes annotations under the categories of writing, language, literature, and teacher education. (MS)

Presents a sampling of items from the ERIC database about Christopher Columbus. Includes items on Columbus' voyages, his contacts with the New World, ecological imperialism, and the explorer's experiences in Jamaica. Explains how to obtain ERIC documents. (SG)

Presents 13 citations from the ERIC database that focus on integrating reading and writing, ranging from the early literacy experiences of the preschool child to the practicum experiences of the apprentice teacher. (SR)

Presents annotations of 11 conference papers, journal articles, and research reports published from 1989 to 1991 that deal with effective techniques for spelling instruction. (RS)

Presents a 17-item annotated bibliography of items (published between 1990 and 1992) from the ERIC database concerning the use of portfolios in reading and language arts. (SR)

Presents annotations of 12 conference papers and journal articles (published in 1990 or 1991) in the ERIC database that deal with implementation, evaluation, and continuance of writing across the curriculum programs. (RS)