In order to be effective, instruction must be more than tailored to the individual: it must be a part of a larger system designed to support individualized learning. An effective individualized instructional environment is a dynamic system; it involves instructors who embrace the concept of individualizing instruction, and provides guidance to…

A study investigated the possible relationships among situation-specific affective variables, motivational-attitudinal variables, and level of language learning in 70 students who were enrolled in a series of beginning Japanese language courses at the university level. Variables investigated included language class risk-taking, language class…

This publication summarizes the findings of a 3-year study concerning the effectiveness of instruction that emphasizes meaning and understanding. In particular, the instructional approaches embedded the teaching of discrete skills in context and drew connections between academic learning and students' home lives. These strategies were applied in…

This paper describes an evaluation of a prevocational Work Experience Project called New Leaf, which offers unemployed homeless men and women the opportunity to acquire essential work-related social and employment skills in connection with vocational and educational services and drug-free treatment in a therapeutic community. The evaluation covers…

This report describes the implementation of a reverse integration and inclusion program at a school which had previously been exclusively for students with cognitive disabilities (trainable mental retardation). An extensive review of the literature provides a history of special education, mainstreaming, reverse integration, and the inclusive…

The Massachusetts Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth prepared its first annual report on various issues of concern to homosexual youth. The Commission seeks to work on prevention of youth suicide, violence prevention, and prevention of problems faced by young homosexuals in schools and the family. The Commission sought information from a series…

Determining the appropriate amount and type of teacher and student input is a complex curriculum and instructional challenge for writing teachers. This paper describes a teacher-researcher's experiences while teaching a fifth-grade class and studying a developing writer's workshop approach to writing instruction. She investigated: (1) how students…

The social practices described and analyzed in this report are based on a 2-year ethnographic study conducted in San Francisco and Sacramento (California) in neighborhoods that are home to five new immigrant groups: (1) Mexicans, (2) Chinese, (3) Vietnamese, (4) Mien (Lao), and (5) undocumented refugees from El Salvador. Interviews with more than…

This report addresses the issue of the differing levels of educational success experienced by college students of various racial-ethnic backgrounds, through evaluating the feasibility of developing an educational equity assessment system to provide information on perceptions of California campus climate. The report examines the nature of campus…

A naturalistic case study, involving a 2-year collaboration between 14 classroom teachers and eight university researchers studying 250 middle and high school students, examined the types of principles underlying effective literature instruction that emphasizes the development of students' reasoning abilities in the context of their understanding…

The Title I English as a Second Language (ESL) program in Boston (1980-81), was designed to provide supplementary ESL instruction to elementary and middle school students and those enrolled in a native language reading component. The program's major objective was to develop aural-oral English language skills in limited-English-speaking children,…

Most of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) design methods focus on producing content for a VLE. However, usability of the VLE is also of great importance. Several potential usability problems have been reported in recent e-learning conferences. These problems could have been avoided by applying usability engineering methods before the VLE was…

Developing countries in Asia and the Pacific are undergoing a critical period in rural development. As part of a plan for integrated rural development, education has shifted its priorities to equalizing access to educational opportunities and improving quality of instruction. Representatives from Bangladesh, China, India, Iran, Malaysia, Nepal,…

In 1983 the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs received a grant to increase Indian participation in Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs at community colleges in Hoke, Scotland, Halifax, and Warren counties. There were 135 Indian adults recruited in the 4 counties--68% female and 32% male. Ages ranged from 18 and younger (6%) to over 60…

This technical memorandum discusses procedures for evaluating potential employment change associated with automation and outlines associated problems. It also describes the nature and modes of delivery of education, training, and retraining for persons holding or seeking employment in manufacturing industries. An introduction provides a brief…