This report examines five dimensions of various initiatives intended to empower students. It is based on two case studies of schools belonging to the Coalition of Essential Schools, a school-reform project aimed at improving teaching and learning in American schools. The report focuses on the level of power that administrators and teachers…

In Reading Recovery, the fostering of active learning begins immediately. The three actions children must learn to take from the beginning as teachers move into instruction are: do some reading "work" at the point of difficulty; take some initiative; and make some links between new items learned and existing knowledge. Active learners…

This article discusses how teachers can use project-based learning to teach social studies to gifted students. Because children select the topic, it is argued the inquiry is more meaningful to children. The roles of teachers and students in project-based classrooms are described, along with an elementary school's Japanese Exhibit project.…

This paper addresses the transition of young children from preschool programs that provide special education services to kindergarten or alternative elementary school placements. The roles of the child, family, and service providers in transition preparation, planning, implementation, and evaluation are described. Components of successful…

While recent arguments often propose that students should be engaged as writers in service to the larger community, the question remains how to engage students as intellectuals, writers, and creators of knowledge in an intellectual setting that mostly asks them to be passive learners. In Project Renaissance, leaving behind the familiar boundaries…

Proposes use of computer simulations to help students build reading comprehension skills, and describes an existing simulation which requires readers to interact with text to accomplish some purpose. Differences between teaching reading skills with simulations and the way they are traditionally taught, and future potential of reading simulations…

Describes and compares formative evaluation approaches: expert review, developmental testing, three-stage model, learner verification and revision, and general approach to formative evaluation. Discussion of differences among approaches related to duration of try-out/revision cycle and recommendations for effective acquisition of data are…

Reflecting Alaska's Reading Performance Standards, this booklet highlights key aspects of what families and teachers can do to teach and support young children as they learn to read using many different strategies. It lists content standards for English/Language Arts and reading performance standards divided into four categories ranging from age 5…

Trained peer leaders served as teachers and resource personnel for a high school smoking reduction clinic. Procedures for behavioral self-control were emphasized. Means of selecting and training peer leaders, programs presented at the clinic, and a summary of the results are given. (PP)

Advice is given to student delegates to a campus activities programing convention. Issues discussed include preconference planning and budgeting, responsibilities in the exhibit hall, and postconference activities such as making follow-up or return phone calls, block booking, making appropriate contacts, and communicating clearly and responsibly.…

Advice is offered to entertainment agencies about the ways in which campus activities programing occurs, program budget considerations, contracts, understanding trends in the college market for entertainment, and ways to establish and keep a good reputation. The advice is illustrated with telephone conversations between an agent and a student…

Summarizes the Big6 Skills information problem-solving approach: (1) Task Definition; (2) Information Seeking Strategies; (3) Location and Access; (4) Use of Information; (5) Synthesis; and (6) Evaluation. Discusses parent and student roles in information problem solving, the value of assignments, and technology and the Big Six. (PEN)

This book is intended to help teachers and college students promote more effective learning through development of critical thinking and reflective learning skills. Part 1 is about theory; it consists of five chapters, which include an overview of the book's themes as well as discussions of learning philosophies and models, learning theories, the…

Enumerates teaching strategies designed to promote high student retention in developmental courses, which: (1) help develop effective working relationships between student and teacher; (2) assure effective classroom management; (3) promote student involvement in the learning process; and (4) help the instructor recognize his/her own professional…

It is suggested that low-endowment private universities must apply better marketing techniques in strategic planning to ensure survival. Recommendations are made for using market research effectively, identifying new markets, and directing media communication accurately. The student's role as consumer is seen as the starting point for product and…