Communities across the country are grappling with different approaches to improving their schools. Introducing or expanding charter schools is one of the approaches that states and school districts have considered or implemented. Charter schools serve more than 5 percent of public school students nationwide and make up close to 7 percent of all…

This article presents an overview of living/learning centers (academic programs based in residence halls) at large universities and presents a case study evaluating a living/learning center academic program at the University of Illinois. Program evaluation confirmed the academic credibility of the program and student satisfaction, in that 94…

A system for grading student work based on contracts is examined. Types of contracts, methods for controlling quality as well as quantity of work, advantages of the contract grading system, and the results of research into the use of grade contracts--including student reaction to the system--are some of the topics discussed. (JMP)

This paper identifies a number of factors that staff developers should consider in planning an effective program. A staff development program is considered to be effective if teachers adapt the material or content learned into their classrooms and retain the implementation over time, if teachers and administrators express satisfaction with the…

Describes three studies conducted at Pennsylvania State University to determine the effects on achievement and student satisfaction of various ratios of questions or highlights to text in computer assisted instruction (CAI) modules; question or highlight placement; and having questions or highlights on same or following page of target text. (MBR)

Reports findings of a survey of elementary school teachers' preferences regarding the criteria and processes for master teacher selection and rewards for master teachers. Although there were variations in response, teachers valued extrinsic/ancillary rewards more than intrinsic rewards (professional, collegial, and creative). (NH)

A study of 125 first-year students at Peabody College (Vanderbilt University, Tennessee) investigated psychological processes underlying college success. Results indicated students' rules of reasoning about effort and ability, motivational goals, and confidence in their intelligence were strongly related to types of participation in college and…

A questionnaire was sent to 161 international graduate students studying agricultural education/extension in the United States to identify implications for the International Training Program at the American Farm School near Thessaloniki, Greece, and to assess the students' degree of interest in attending the Farm School's Training Program.…

The academic progress and self-concept of North York (Ontario, Canada) learning-disabled and educable retarded students were studied, with particular reference to the effectiveness of placement in mixed exceptionality versus single exceptionality programs. Information was gathered from the published special education literature, students' files,…

Effects of 2 questioning strategies on 20 third grade students' social studies quizzes were examined. Compared to whole group questioning, "Heads Together" (in which small heterogeneous learning teams work together to ensure that each teammate knows the answer) resulted in better quiz results, on-task performance, and student satisfaction.…

The opinion poll of public school administrators reported in this document is part of a series designed to report scientifically collected data that accurately reflects the views and experiences of specific groups of educators. For this study, a total of 3,300 principals were included in the random sample and 1,502 (46 percent) responded. Tables…

Examines the long-term effects of working in high school on educational attainment and labor-force outcomes. Suggests moderate negative effects in that working youths are less likely to attend or complete college. These effects, however, are somewhat mediated by income and employment status. (MJP)

This study examined alumni giving as related to undergraduate involvement, student housing, academic success, and satisfaction with the education received. Two hundred alumni donors from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's College of Education were surveyed, with a 70% response rate. The study found that alumni donors had not been as…

This 1984 study (1) estimated the more enduring benefits of a Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) prevocational program for those who completed the program in 1979; and (2) identified the features of the CETA program that completers recalled as having contributed to these benefits. The 18-week CETA prevocational program was offered by…

A University of Nebraska-Lincoln study evaluated use of a campus compensatory technology program, particularly compensatory communications systems, by students with disabilities. Results indicate a high level of student use, student perceptions that the compensatory systems were helpful, and improved student academic performance. (Author/MSE)