Describes positive results coming from Trinity University's active support of educational reform efforts at Hawthorne Elementary School (Houston, Texas). Trinity's teacher education agenda focused on preparing teachers for the real world of the elementary school and pursuing a teacher-selected school reform project. (GR)

Provides an evaluator's view of the quantitative effects of the Core Knowledge Sequence, a content-based K-6 curriculum model, and other reforms at Hawthorne Elementary School (Houston, Texas). Pretest and posttest results show increased academic performance in reading, writing, and mathematics, based on Texas Assessment of Academic Skills…

Considers the effect of an integrated, interdisciplinary curriculum on student achievement, discipline, behavior, and parental involvement. Although an integrated curriculum is not an educational panacea, the results of this study were generally positive. The field site was a comprehensive high school in a lower middle class neighborhood. (MJP)

This document is the third annual status report of the Spencerport (New York) More Effective Schools/Teaching Project. Section 1 describes nine documents developed during the project; identifies persons participating in the project; states the applicability of effective schools research to all levels of a suburban school system; and sets forth the…

A program designed to improve the reading, writing, and thinking skills of low achieving poverty level high school juniors was developed for use in a Pennsylvania high school. The program uses the Pennsylvania Reading Comprehension Plan's four critical experiences of (1) responding to literature, (2) self-selected and sustained silent reading, (3)…

Performance testing of the Far West Laboratory (FWL) Experience-Based Career Education (EBCE) model and accumulation of evaluation information from experience with Far West School (for model implementers) conducted during 1974-75 is discussed in this evaluation report. Three types of information are developed: Evidence related to student…

This paper illustrates how Homewood-Flossmoor High School, Illinois District 233 addressed the decline in its student achievement results and improved college readiness among its students. This sharp decline caused school officials to stop and reevaluate what they were doing. A review of the facts led to a clear conclusion: "Rigorous…

This report describes the development over three trial semesters of a required course for sophomores at Baker University (Kansas) to develop reasoning and critical thinking skills that would prepare them for a required senior capstone course. The report describes the work of the faculty team that prepared two textbooks ("Reasoning and…

Maintains that community service-learning, the integration of service with academic skills and content, can positively enhance students' future involvement in the social and political life of their communities. Discusses the historical roots of service in social studies education and analyzes the empirical evidence on student outcomes. (MJP)

Describes a fourth grade teacher's interdisciplinary efforts at imparting the joys of archaeology to her students. The students read fiction and non-fiction materials about the physical environments and participated in a series of hands-on learning activities. These involved simulated archaeological digs, personal artifacts, and realia. (MJP)

Discusses the "flashback" method of history instruction that begins with analyzing specific, current conditions and then traces their historical evolution. This method allows students to feel connected to the subject while participating in its historical investigation. Compares the "flashback" and the traditional chronological…

Maintains that the rich and interesting subject matter of social studies makes it a natural complement to literacy programs. Briefly describes instructional strategies for literacy and discusses how these can be used in conjunction with the "History-Social Science Framework for California Public Schools." (MJP)

Outlines the instructional strategies that overcame the language difficulties of a Hispanic/Anglo third grade social studies class. The class focused on local history in Pasadena, California which required competence in both Spanish and English. Includes instructional materials, graphic organizers, and guidelines for further units. (MJP)

Describes the Telecommunications, Education, Career Enhancement Project (TECH) at Teachers College in New York City that focuses on improving the basic English skills of intermediate ESL students from Haiti. Discusses educational objectives; student projects using video, television, and multimedia; student achievements and attendance records. A…

Discusses changes in the Improving America's Schools Act (IASA) and Title I designed to help disadvantaged students meet the higher academic standards of school reform. Changes include emphasizing high-quality teaching and professional development, shifting decision making to the school level, creating a link between Title I and other IASA…