A year long study used data collected from 3 teachers and 15 students (in the first, third, and sixth grades of a rural midwestern school) to illustrate the relationships between students' understandings, strategic actions, metacognitive awareness, motivation in reading, and teachers who embrace instructional complexities. The complexities…

This paper describes the Success for All Program and items that need be considered when the program is implemented in elementary schools. The program includes one-to-one tutoring; frequent assessment; a family support team; innovative curriculum approaches in reading, writing, and language arts; and other interventions. Discussion expands on…

An elementary school science teacher implemented a practicum intervention designed to improve students' critical thinking skills by emphasizing the role of the parent as a resource at home. A total of 25 parents of third-fifth graders were instructed in four sessions in the Talent's Unlimited thinking skills model. Sessions focused on productive…

The purpose of this study was to determine what kind of feedback would be most effective in helping students improve their writing and in what manner it should be provided. Feedback was provided on a specific writing task, the short autobiographical narrative. Improvement was measured by scales of the three variables: completeness, development,…

The author responds to Pinnell et al's (1996) call for caution in using cost-benefit analysis in measuring educational reform success. It is argued that reform already is being sold to state legislators and educators in cost-benefit terms and that research has been inappropriately used in the selling process. (GR)

Discusses the successful use of Core Knowledge Curriculum in one inner-city elementary school in San Antonio (Texas) that had previously reflected low student achievement, inconsistent attendance, and student behavioral problems. Improvements in these conditions as revealed through teacher observations are highlighted. (GR)

Reports on a study of predictive judgments and evaluation methods among 33 elementary teachers. Finds that inaccuracy in teachers' judgments of students is due partly to inappropriate use of consensus or comparative performance data. (CFR)

Examines how educators can create a school culture that supports and nurtures the success and accomplishments of all students. Discusses the role of institutional core values; school heroes and leaders representing those values; the school's system of rewards, reinforcement, and punishments; the school's ceremonies and rituals; and how the…

Describes urban school instability in Chicago public elementary schools and explores its causes, namely residential mobility and school-related reasons. The impact of mobility on students, schools, and urban education is also examined. It indicates that improved schools lose their accomplishments as students transfer, and mobile students forfeit…

A 7-year, longitudinal study of children's social development from kindergarten through sixth grade was designed to identify unusually prosocial children and characteristics that differentiated them from average and antisocial peers. Another objective was to identify functional socioemotional predictors of changes in children's social adjustment.…

This paper describes a program implemented to improve student writing skills. Research data included teachers' observations and evaluations, student surveys, and student writing samples. Subjects were students in grades 1, 3, and 4 in 5 Illinois schools showing a need for writing improvement. Objectives were to increase writing abilities with…

This action research project sought to improve the social skills of targeted first-, third-, and fourth-grade students. Students demonstrated an inability to collaborate with others, a disregard for the feelings and opinions of others, a lack of responsibility, excessive noise, incomplete assignments, unnecessary physical contact, inappropriate…

This action research project sought to improve social skills in targeted elementary students. The problem of poor social skills was documented by means of data revealing the number of students exhibiting inappropriate behaviors. Students exhibited a lack of social skills through: inappropriate manners, lack of cooperation, not occupying one's own…

This action research project implemented and evaluated a program to motivate students to learn through multiple intelligences, cooperative learning, and positive discipline. The targeted population consisted of students in kindergarten, fourth grade, and sixth grade at two grade school and one middle school sites. Evidence of lack of motivation…

Identifies elements that have impeded parental involvement in urban school reform efforts and recognizes positive and encouraging techniques leading toward successful family-school-community partnerships. Argues that parental involvement is most important in America's inner-city urban neighborhoods and that an alliance between groups, long in…