A study assessed the effectiveness of various ways of identifying at-risk middle school students for participation in a dropout prevention program. It was considered important to explore factors related to identifying students who were most in need of the program. During the first semester of the project, teacher recommendations, attendance, age,…

Under the Florida A+ Accountability Program, Florida's schools are graded based on student performance on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Previously, when schools would earn their second failing grade within four years, students assigned to these schools were offered school vouchers which parents and guardians could use to transfer…

This is the second sourcebook that has been produced by members of the Council of Elementary Science International (CESI) in cooperation with the ERIC Clearinghouse for Science, Mathematics, and Environmental Education. This sourcebook is focused on activities designed to enhance children's thinking. Activities emphasizing creativity,…

Both English language learners (ELLs) and non-ELL students in grades 4 and 8 were tested in mathematics using one of several accommodations during winter 2002. This study compared computer-, customized dictionary-, and extra-time-accommodates test results of ELL and non-ELL students. Test and questionnaire results were examined for 607 students in…

Reports a study that examined motivation and classroom environment differences between 1,200 Asian American and white middle school students in mathematics education. Student surveys indicated that there were significant differences between the two groups by ethnicity, sex, and grade on their motivation in mathematics and classroom learning…

Surveys of students aged 4-14 in 22 Toronto (Canada) classrooms, their parents, and teachers found that a third of students were involved in bullying situations, with involvement higher among boys and in grades 5-6. Teachers and parents were unaware of individual children's involvement, and children perceived teachers' interventions as infrequent.…

Randomly assigned 60 adolescent girls at risk for school failure to payment program in which girls received $50.00/month to improve grades or attendance; case management program; or control group. Both experimental groups were superior to control with respect to positive changes in grades and attendance. Case management program showed much…

The supportive relationships of 167 sixth graders with parents, teachers, and peers were examined in relation to motivation at school. Relations of perceived support from parents, teachers, and peers to student motivation differed depending on the source of support and motivational outcome. Peer support was a positive predictor of prosocial goal…

In this article, the author shares a decade's worth of experience in developing an approach to teaching math to upper-elementary and middle school students that simultaneously increases basic skills, improves problem solving, raises test scores, and sparks student interest in math. Sections include: (1) Background Of Supermath; (2) Description Of…

This study compared the use of two supplemental balanced and strategic reading interventions that targeted the decoding, fluency, and reading comprehension of upper-elementary and middle school students with reading disabilities (RD). All students had significant delays in decoding, fluency, comprehension, and language processing. Two comparable,…

The goal of this study is to analyze the images of science and scientists in science biographies written for children. We examined 12 biographies of historic and contemporary scientists written for primary/middle school children in relation to three dimensions: characteristics of scientists, nature and process of scientific knowledge, and social…

The national Accelerated Schools Project has proven accelerated learning is not just for the gifted. Data show teachers have gotten sustained results in student achievement through the project, which helps them change their expectations, focus on data, and commit to a process of professional learning.

As computers become a larger part of the curriculum, educators everywhere are being asked to take a stand for cyber ethics, the right and wrong of computer and Internet use. Teachers cannot always depend on parents to instill cyber ethics. Parents may not know or follow the rules, either. Once students understand cyber ethics, they may have a…

A project involving prospective social studies teachers as collaborators in an experimental investigation is described. The study was undertaken as part of the course requirements for an integrated educational psychology/secondary methods course. The course was intended to ameliorate the fragmentation of the coursework and lack of coherence…

This report summarizes evaluation results of the AISD state-funded Optional Extended Year Program for 2002-2003.