Describes an Oregon boardmember who works part time as a volunteer teaching aide. (JF)

Describes a writing program that uses lay readers from the community to help correct student writing assignments and instruct in writing skills. (IRT)

A survey examines the legal status of teacher aides in each of the 50 states. The results indicate that only 23 states have any laws on the legal status of aides. (Author/DN)

For more than a decade, a principal of a large innercity elementary school in New Haven, Connecticut, convened a committee of parents and school personnel to interview candidates for positions as teachers and aides. About 50 persons were hired using this process, and all the teachers were successful. The interviewing process has since become…

Recently, one southeastern Idaho school's special-education aides were upgraded to paraprofessional status. All 28 para-educators are women, have at least a high-school diploma, and have job descriptions specifying what they should know and accomplish in the classroom. Training and compensation particulars are discussed. (MLH)

Describes successful volunteer programs that use parents to help expand curriculum, improve academic achievement, and free teachers to make better use of their teaching time. Includes a list of key elements to consider when setting up such programs. (MD)

Discusses research on the use of paraprofessionals, aides, and assistants in schools. Describes several school-district career-ladder and instructional programs for paraprofessionals. Finds paraprofessionals contribute to student achievement. (PKP)

Describes challenges rural school districts meet in recruiting young, talented teachers, particularly those facing tough new federal standards for hiring teachers in Title I schools. Describes how some school districts are meeting the challenge through emphasizing the benefits of rural schools, identifying and assisting high school students with…

To help recruit African American and Hispanic teachers, Southwest Texas State University started a program in 1992 called Enhancing Diversity in Teaching. Funded by a foundation and the Texas Education Association, the program provides university scholarships for paraprofessionals working with bilingual, Chapter 1, migrant, or special-education…

Major studies of elementary school science programs have shown that they are extremely weak, leading to potentially serious consequences for the development of future scientists and technologists. Nine questions are provided for board members to ask and answer to help develop strong elementary science programs. (MD)