In Oklahoma City Public Schools, the state's largest school district, nearly 3,000 students don't know where they'll be sleeping each night. As parents or guardians move about, enrolling and re-enrolling in schools can become overwhelming--especially when there is no firm address to provide--so families often keep children out of school. This…

Traditional schooling methods and environments are falling short in terms of providing the best access to education and preparing students for productive, engaging futures. Innovation becomes particularly important when working with atypical students, such as the children on the autism spectrum who are served by the Shrub Oak International School…

Unlike most immigrants, who come to host countries after being granted legal permanent residency, refugees are forced to leave their homelands, often abruptly, due to threats to their personal safety. Refugees enter their host countries with no prior arrangements in place (e.g., housing, financial support of relatives, opportunities to start…

Presents one teacher's perspectives on the priorities that are important for children in an educational environment. (BB)

Describes how teachers can better understand adopted, language-minority students. Notes the importance of avoiding a classroom climate that classifies people into neat categories, avoiding stereotyping, learning about the student's birth country, and remembering that the meaning of a situation may vary by culture. Discusses special needs of young…

Discusses how music enhances learning by facilitating brain growth and integration, evoking emotions, and addressing learners' needs. Suggests ways to use music to create a positive learning environment by reducing stress, increasing productivity, and regulating energy. Presents suggestions for incorporating music at elementary/secondary levels,…

During the King Center Charter School's five years of existence, the school has evolved into a unique 21st century laboratory school, soliciting meaningful parental involvement to help close the achievement gap for the students. As indicated, students' academic achievement and social/ emotional competency have increased over the years. This…

Maintains that child development knowledge is important in providing a strong basis for teachers' decision-making processes. Discusses how teachers must consider all aspects of development--physical, social/emotional, and intellectual--in making classroom decisions, as well as decisions concerning parental involvement and the use of community…

Provides a definition of dyslexia and characteristics of students who have this condition. Claims that when teaching dyslexic students, teachers may need to change the academic environment to enable students to demonstrate what they know. Provides suggestions to teachers on how the needs of dyslexic students can be met in the regular classroom.…

Suggests that documentation can help teachers: (1) better respond to demands for accountability; (2) teach through direct, first-hand interactive experiences that enhance brain development; (3) be more effective; (4) meet special needs; and (5) help children perceive learning to be important and worthwhile. Describes several methods of…

Highlights selected recent ERIC documents that discuss aspects of program and school effectiveness in middle level education. Provides citations on eight books and five journal articles with abstracts and ordering information. (AA)

Discusses the need for reform at the middle school educational level. Suggests that middle schools should create an environment that reflects and responds to young adolescents' needs and developmental level. Effective middle school teachers must adopt new modes of teaching as they face the challenges and opportunities presented by changing…

Discusses four principles that can help middle school environments overcome common behavior problems and become places where young adolescents develop responsibility for their learning: (1) foster natural human development; (2) respond to individual needs; (3) avoid artificially imposed classroom order and promote self organization; and (4) value…

Discusses the need of young adolescents to belong to their own culture wherein they can attain peer status and achievement. Presents a project in Castle Hill School (Pittsburgh) as an example of helping urban young adolescents to build a culture of achievement. Emphasizes the importance of this culture for young adolescents who cannot separate…

Presents an interview with Dr. John H. Lounsbury, Dean Emeritus at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, and publications editor for the National Middle School Association. Issues discussed include changes in young adolescents' education; the influence of societal changes, educational reform, and technological development in the…