Explores the emotive, social aspects of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) learning in small group settings, with special attention to the classroom experiences of an adult Japanese woman. It is argued that the opportunity to consciously reflect about her negative feelings concerning her abilities had a positive effect on her ESL learning. (24…

Examines individual, family, and community factors identified in the literature as affecting achievement, attainment, and aspiration among African-American youth in junior and senior high school. In considering the complex interactions between achievement and attainment, it is necessary to review ways that achievement is measured and the…

Analyzed the effect of social integration on academic performance among Mexican American, black, and Native American students at a large, southwestern public university. Formal social integration--participation in student organizations and faculty contact--has a much greater impact on academic performance than does informal social integration.…

The achievement gap that exists between Black and White students--even those from similar economic backgrounds--is an ongoing challenge for educators. Although schools receive much of the blame, the gap is more the result of social class characteristics that go beyond even the best schools and teachers. Raising the achievement of lower-class…

Across OECD countries, governments are seeking policies to make education more effective while searching for additional resources to meet the increasing demand for education. The 2010 edition of "Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators" enables countries to see themselves in the light of other countries' performance. It provides a rich, comparable…

"Highlights from Education at a Glance 2010" is a companion publication to the OECD's flagship compendium of education statistics, Education at a Glance. It provides easily accessible data on key topics in education today, including: education levels and student numbers, economic and social benefits of education, education spending, the school…

A study examined (1) whether there is a significant difference between the inclusion needs of delinquent high school girls, high-achieving nondelinquent high school girls, and nondelinquent high school girls; (2) whether there is a difference between perceived inclusion by peers and teachers in these groups of females; and (3) whether there is a…

To discover if there were differences in the influence-gaining behaviors of principals in schools of varying levels of instructional effectiveness, 9 of 19 urban schools involved in a school improvement project were selected for study. All the schools met the following criteria: involvement in the project for at least 1 year, employment of the…

This report examines some myths and stereotypes in the light of factual information about cultural and learning characteristics of minority group children in urban school settings. Cited among the most prevalent myths are that the academic failure of urban children results from genetically determined intellectual inferiority, and that the failures…

This review draws together the findings of research in Australia concerning various aspects of the transition from school to work to assist policy makers (including educational administrators, school principals, employers, trade union officials, and politicians) in working in this area. Aspects covered in the review include the processes of…

This guide is essentially designed as a teaching aid for those who would inform planners, officials of educational ministires, school administrators, principals, and teachers about educational outcome measurements. In outline and graphic form, the guide presents topics for discussion in a seminar dealing with generating outcome measurements:…

Viewing adolescence as a "dynamic social construction," this volume explores the state of adolescence in the context of rapid social change. The articles in the volume reveal a recurrent theme: no matter how adolescence is defined, the establishment of identity and the search for autonomy remain central developmental tasks of the…

This work reviews curricular designs, providing educators a practical structure for making curricular decisions. Chapter 1, "Making Change in a Changing World," argues that an appreciation of the role of pressure groups and partnerships is essential to a quality education plan. Chapter 2, "Concept-Based Curriculum," explores the history of the…

Describes social, cultural, and psychological factors that can influence academic achievement of African-American students by gender and placement in gifted or nongifted academic programs. Results with 148 African-American fifth and sixth graders in an urban Ohio elementary school demonstrate more importance for academic program than for gender.…

Addresses key factors that influence the academic and social performance of minority and at-risk youth, including lack of role models, societal expectations and realities, ineffective practices, and patterns of school organization. The article provides suggestions for what teachers can do and what schools can do through staff development. (SM)