Encourages visual notetaking to help students improve learning. Emphasizes that when students use verbal and visual cues, the entire brain is called to action. Specific examples of notetaking such as "T-line,""Stickperson," and "Star models" are illustrated. (BR)

The problem of students entering universities and graduate programs with sub-standard communication skills is becoming more pronounced. Teaching communication skills is an important vehicle for enhancing student work. (BSR)

Discusses an inschool suspension program at one junior high school and reveals how it has led to a reduction in discipline problems. (FL)

This paper presents a "recorded history" of national leadership standards, a critique of that history, along with a conceptual framework for how the national standards movement is viewed. The analysis offers a deconstruction of the recorded history, emphasizing the specific events surrounding the spread of educational leadership standards. A…

A strong statement about the declining academic standards in Australian high schools and about the need for an educational system that embodies diligence and self-discipline. (AEA)

Discusses two strategies for preventing violence in the schools: (1) improving the learning environment and academic achievements of students; and (2) teaching violence prevention in the schools. When addressing violence as a public health issue, these traditional school-based prevention strategies prove to be useful. (MAK)

To become more effective leaders, principals must become informed of national quality initiatives and integrate them into their schools. Holding great responsibility for student achievement, principals are given lists of actions to take and others to avoid. Increased standards of licensure are addressed, as well as implementations of a systems…

Argues that the first and primary focus of assessment should be the learner and that student feedback on their learning process and the inclusion of any presentations, products, or exhibitions produced along the way are essential. The author presents personal experiences using this assessment practice involving an English class. (GR)

Discusses the benefits of school uniforms in fulfilling the educational objectives of middle school reform. Considers the role of uniforms in establishing student affiliation with the school and in adolescent development. Describes the development of a uniform program and notes issues of cost and legality. (JPB)

Teachers are not adequately engaged in collaborative inquiry where it matters most, in the daily learning-teaching interactions between students and teachers, leading to failure in developing true learning communities by majority of school improvement efforts. Collaborative analysis of student learning (CASL), a particular form of learning…

Prepared by the Classroom Feedback Subcommittee of the Teaching/Learning Project, this report offers recommendations on "the sharing of constructive information between students and faculty relative to each other's performance through a process by which faculty learn about their teaching and students learn about their learning." After presenting…

A teacher shares her experience with the Napa County Follow Through Project, describing effects on her as a professional and as a person, effects on her peers, school, and students. (MT)

Research regarding parent involvement in their child's education is summarized. Parent involvement practices that may be developed when home and school computers are added as resources are discussed. (MT)

The author finds the National Commission on Excellence in Education's report, "A Nation at Risk (1983)," deficient in three major aspects. It underestimates schools' contributions; it identifies the wrong problem; and it prescribes simple solutions for complex problems. (JMK)

Based on the premise that educators should identify instructional problems before they use microcomputers for instruction, this article shows how needs assessment and instructional design relate to the decision. A three-phase questioning process is suggested to help determine when and where to use computer assisted instruction. (MBR)