This publication deals with the topic of staff development for multicultural education and examines how schools should prepare their staffs for implementing an education that is truly multicultural. The document begins ("Tell Me What You've Learned So Far") by reporting on a staff development research study conducted by Christine E.…

The College of Education at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) created collaborative partnerships with nine major school districts in Iowa in order to establish several kinds of relationships between practitioners and university faculty which computer networks facilitated. A new "Cobra" computer conference system was expanded to the…

At a small, northeastern suburban elementary school, the records used to characterize the skills and to anticipate the needs of the diverse students in transition (between grades, school levels, or special to regular education programs) did not provide receiving teachers an effective assessment of current performance levels; nor was there adequate…

This report presents results from a National Coalition of Advocates for Students' (NCAS) study (Looking for America) of intergroup relations between immigrant and U.S. born students in public schools and the organization's collaboration with selected schools to improve those relationships. The report reveals school practices designed to improve…

This report describes the implementation of Section 1017 of Chapter 1 contained in Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Section 1017 requires school districts to serve eligible students enrolled in private schools. Private schools affiliated with religious groups make up the bulk of all Chapter 1-eligible students. The report…

The Randolph, New Jersey Intermediate School updated its industrial arts program to reflect the challenges and work force of the Twentieth Century in which students apply a design/problem-solving process to solve real-world problems. In the laboratory portion of the program, students circulate between workstations to define problems, complete…

This publication, the result of a series of workgroup meetings that culminated in a conference of 45 educators held in San Diego, California, in November 1989, is a guide to assessing the competence of prospective history and social science teachers in the California public schools. The guide was developed as part of a state-wide response to…

An essay to test writing skill has been administered to North Carolina sixth and eighth graders for 10 years. In 1992-93, fourth graders were also tested. Each year compositions are graded by readers trained to apply a uniform set of criteria to the essays. Composition criteria are main ideas, supporting detail, organization, and coherence. A…

The guide is designed to give parents basic information about the French second language (FSL) program of Alberta (Canada) elementary and secondary schools, and to answer commonly-asked questions. Sections address these topics: the benefits of second language learning; choosing French as a second language; how the FSL program is structured; how…

The Support Teacher Program is a professional development program created to increase teachers' mathematical knowledge, improve instructional practices for conceptual understanding, and prepare teachers to conduct staff development activities in their schools with their colleagues. This paper is presented in three sections. The first section…

In Chicago and suburban schools there are many teachers who have not had an opportunity to take part in either induction or orientation programs during their first year of teaching. Exposed to proper and adequate induction programs, beginning teachers may demonstrate higher performance and skill in classroom management, instruction, discipline,…

Since 1988, Vermont has been developing a state assessment program, the centerpiece of which is the student portfolio and "best pieces" drawn from it. The state's use of portfolio results will be limited to reporting aggregates, but within schools, teachers and principals may use the portfolios as they choose. The assessment program,…

This report provides information for states and school districts on the use of Medicaid to support related services for students with disabilities. The report first presents some background material on the Medicaid program, including information about relevant laws and regulations. The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment…

When Japanese education is considered from a Western perspective, the stereotypical image seems to be that of a rigid, achievement-oriented, and traditional system, producing technologically-focused human beings. This presentation focuses on the human and cultural dimensions of Japanese society and on how Japanese children are motivated to achieve…

This paper demonstrates how teacher education institutions can expand understanding of others and tolerance for differences by developing cross-cultural exchange programs in international settings and on the local level. The paper outlines the steps involved in establishing international student teaching programs at three different universities…