For language minority children who have acquired English through another culture, opportunities to learn in U.S. schools are not equal, either at the point of entry or at any time thereafter. Children's ability to participate meaningfully in school learning activities is intimately linked to cognitive and social skills that presuppose specific and…

In this special journal issue, ten teachers who have consistently produced award-winning student writers share their thoughts on the teaching of poetry. The first article provides reminiscences of student poets taught by one teacher and provides a guide for use in the close reading and analysis of poetry. The second article suggests techniques for…

A summary of the reading and literature studies undertaken by an international voluntary association of educational researchers from various countries is in this paper. The studies' major findings are listed, and certain student attributes--such as sex, socioeconomic status, reading and viewing habits, and parental involvement--are discussed as…

The placement of students in the correct level of English composition classes is approached in a variety of ways by two-year open admission colleges. This report describes the analysis of a potentially quick, effective method of student placement, based on structural linquistics, which asked each student to combine as many brief kernel sentences…

Sixth- and seventh-grade teachers were trained to maintain an average teacher wait time of three to five seconds during mathematics and language arts lessons. Longer waits were associated with higher achievement, improved teacher and student discourse, and greater time spent in cognitive processing. (GDC)

Illustrates applicability of scientific scrutiny to secondary education by demonstrating how to relate to "natural" language instruction to student attainments, how variations in grading practices affect student performance, how knowledge gained in recitation is related to that gained in silent study, how to determine whether education…

Classroom behavior was observed over a six-month period in 68 junior high school classes to determine (a) the temporal stability of the behavioral indexes and (b) reliable trends over the school year. A certain deterioration occurs in late spring and observations obtained in midyear are less likely to be distorted. (Author/GK)

A high school English teacher used Foxfire principles to teach two classes, one with students who lacked successful school experiences and one with students who had more success in school but needed structured environments. Students became more active participants in learning through positive learning experiences, forging bonds with the teacher.…

Comparison of college students with learning disabilities who either graduated (n=23) or did not graduate (n=17) from college found that the two groups differed on frequency of self-contained placement, duration of private tutoring, high school English courses, and age and prior college experience at college entrance. Gender differences were also…

Examines the kinds of instruction that foster student engagement with literature and the effects of such instruction on achievement. Describes the manifestations of procedural and substantive forms of engagements, explains how they relate differently to student outcomes, and offers some empirical propositions using data on literature instruction…

A meta-analysis compared the academic achievement of students (grades 6-12) who received traditional instruction or traditional instruction supplemented with computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in science, reading, music, special education, social studies, math, vocational education, and English. The study determined that students receiving…

Quantitative analyses using CLASS 3.0 software and qualitative discourse analyses were conducted of the instructional and institutional effects of tracking in high-and low-track American literature classes taught by the same teacher, a participant in a national study of the effects of dialogic classroom discourse patterns on student achievement.…

With increased emphasis on test-based accountability measures has come increased interest in examining the impact of technology use on students' academic performance. However, few empirical investigations exist that address this issue. This paper (1) examines previous research on the relationship between student achievement and technology use, (2)…

In 1990-91, the Austin Independent School District (AISD) (Texas) received a Title VII grant to serve a population of recently arrived limited English proficient (LEP) high school students. Additional years of funding were subsequently awarded. These students typically have had interrupted schooling in their own countries, resulting in a wide…

In a high school writing class of eight students, a computer was used as a word processor to permit close observation of students as they learned. The class was studied using ethnographic techniques: videotape, audiotape, teacher/researcher journals, student writing, and interviews. Three types of learners emerged: marginal--those who had…