Presents a checklist for evaluating physical education settings which include students with special needs. The checklist has questions about facilities, equipment, class organization, content, and teacher behavior. "Yes" answers indicate factors contributing to a safe environment; "no" answers indicate the potential to cause physical,…

Based on the premise that education is an open system interdependent with its environment, the University of Puerto Rico's Partnership Project with Schools is a cooperative program to improve public education by changing school practice. A collaborative seminar identified target areas: exploration of students' potential and difficulties, teacher…

Synthesized are the results of five qualitative investigations of high school science classrooms in Western Australia and in the state of Georgia. Gender differences were observed in each study and teachers were not aware of their occurrence. (Author/YP)

Expresses concern that students need to be exposed to many musical options. Reports on a study of 242 high school students in select and nonselect choral ensembles. Finds that both groups prefer popular music over other genres and that nonselect choir members rated country music higher than select choir members did. (CFR)

Curriculum-based measurement (CBM) is recommended as an efficient, objective, flexible, and reliable way to compose ability-based instructional groups in both regular and special education settings. Steps for using CBM and specific applications for grouping in reading and mathematics instruction are offered. (DB)

A national survey of teachers serving students with serious emotional disturbances, with 191 respondents, sought to identify the nature of education programs for such students. Program types cited most frequently were mainstreaming and use of an environmental classroom structure. School demographics and teacher characteristics were also examined.…

Presents a seven-step strategy to help teachers improve feedback effectiveness and provide more individual attention in large classes. The strategy considers the learner, the skill being practiced, and environmental factors. The teacher must observe performance, analyze the action and/or outcome of the response, and communicate directly with the…

This study found that, on average, signed messages sent by teachers and students in a school for the deaf were seen less than half the time by the deaf students; students frequently engaged in collateral conversations. Intervention strategies call for changes in teaching techniques, classroom layout, and the use of computer-communication…

Reggio Emilia's pioneering effort in preschool education has been widely replicated throughout Italy, where almost 90% of nation's children aged 3-6 enroll in national, municipal, private preschools. These preschools are unlike any in the United States. There are no building principals or school boards. America must invest more time, money, and…

Asserts that the quality of any musical performance is a direct result of what happens in rehearsals. Argues that the primary responsibility for planning and implementing successful rehearsal sessions falls to the conductor. Describes a six-step approach for rehearsals, which should begin at least six months prior to the performance date. (CFR)

This paper discusses negative consequences for students placed in low ability classes and presents some alternative grouping and instructional practices which have been proven effective in heterogeneous classrooms. (LMO)

Cooperative learning fosters better student achievement than individualistic methods, increases cross-ethnic friendships, improves students' self-esteem, and creates positive attitudes toward other students and the school. Cooperative learning requires a period of adjustment on the part of teachers and pupils. Six cooperative learning techniques…

Reviews research on instructional methods designed to operationalize the principal elements of Allport's contact theory of intergroup relations. These cooperative learning methods, which employ ethnically mixed learning groups who are rewarded for learning as a group, have had positive effects on intergroup relations and on the academic…

Examines the effects of school types and ability grouping within school types on individual student performance. Results demonstrate that students in high ability groups gain more and students in low ability groups gain less over a five-year period than they would be expected had they not been separated into ability groups. (Author/PS)

Reviews the range of thought concerning the extent to which the student's educational experience should be formally structured and externally imposed or informal and structurally controlled by the student. Recommends allowing students to make choices to the extent that they are comfortable and learning remains functional and effective. (PGD)