Describes the mentoring program at Canisius College, New York. Program evaluation showed it had a positive impact on the retention and academic performance of freshmen and provided an opportunity to demonstrate the college's concern for students. Both faculty and students reported benefits from the program. (JAC)

Addresses the age-old problem of getting students to play in tune and offers suggestions to correct this problem. Outlines three easy steps: (1) make students aware of existing problems, (2) let students correct these problems, and (3) teach students the idiosyncrasies of their instrument. Includes a list of problem notes. (MJP)

Outlines approaches for student evaluation in service learning projects. Maintains that most service learning project participants' goals fall into three broad areas: civic development, academic achievement, and personal or social development. Assessment in these areas can be accomplished through tabulation of service hours, student journals, and…

Reports on a study conducted by a university geography department and its school of education. They divided a World Regional Geography class into two groups. One utilized the traditional lecture method; the other implemented a collaborative learning approach. No significant gain was realized at the conclusion of the study. (MJP)

Describes and defines the steps involved in measurement and evaluation: (1) determining an outcome; (2)defining scoring criteria; (3)establishing appropriate assessment tasks; and (4)creating opportunities for learning. Includes a flow chart for a design-down curriculum and an example of a vocal performance rating scale assessment. (MJP)

Describes instructional stages in a first-year Russian undergraduate course, at Nottingham University (England), that make use of video. Video enables students to explore areas often neglected in traditional language courses, contributes to cultural awareness and language skills, and helps learners assimilate into the target culture more easily.…

Four components of high-achieving middle schools together provide for the refocusing of middle level education on student achievement, while being attentive to the needs of the early adolescent learner. Those components are: a culture that supports achievement, ongoing discussion about achievement, a supportive structure, and an academically…

After explaining performance assessment, the article describes a Michigan staff development workshop to teach educators performance assessment, explains program content and methods for teaching program assessment, illustrates how performance assessment was taught to students, and presents recommendations for effective implementation of performance…

Explores how historical empathy can give students a richer understanding of the past, focusing on the development of the students' historical understanding through an analysis of 18 documents on President Truman's decision to use the atomic bomb against Japan. (CMK)

Addresses the need of involving the family and aspects of child development into helping children achieve academic success. Several collaborative efforts are highlighted, and the key features of strategies for collaboration are discussed. The article concludes with analysis of these collaborative efforts to determine the lessons to be learned. (GR)

Explores helping students of color, particularly African Americans, who for various reasons are underserved by urban schools. Twelve European American cultural practices are described that could create discontinuity for African American students or for any student who is culturally different. (GR)

This article discusses benefits of using literature circles with ELL students to strengthen literacy skills and student confidence. Highlighting one teacher's implementation of literature circles, the authors present a candid examination of areas of initial weakness and describe strategies used for improvements in subsequent "rounds." A discussion…

In March 1994, the Alberta Education Minister, Halvar Johnson, established five implementation teams to assist in restructuring education in the province. One of those teams focused on business involvement and technology integration, with information collected by a Technology Integration Advisory Committee. This committee, whose members are…

Statistics clearly demonstrate the need to assist students who may drop out of school or who may graduate with inadequate academic, social, and emotional skills. This paper describes efforts at one elementary school to address some of the needs of at-risk students. The program revolves around a structured martial arts class designed to develop…

The purpose of this publication is to assist educators in their efforts to improve students' thinking abilities. The book identifies and describes some common components of thinking skills programs and addresses the scope and sequence of purposeful thinking. In some respects, the content of thinking is described by offering a generic organization…