Examines collage as a symbolic activity in early childhood education. Finds that collage is used in a number of ways by young children and, in addition to being a manipulative and expressive activity, there appears to be a general progression toward incorporating symbolic elements in their collages. (CMK)

Investigates 4- and 7-year-olds' understanding of biological inheritance of physical characteristics for cows and horses. Explores the effects of an intervention technique to improve children's understanding of inheritance. Reveals significant age differences in judgments and explanations of inheritance. No significant improvements resulted from…

In 2000, the state of Nebraska passed legislation requiring the assessment of student performance on content standards, but its requirements were very different from those of any other state. Nebraska created what has come to be known as STARS (School-based Teacher-led Assessment and Reporting System). Under STARS, each of Nebraska's nearly 500…

In 1989, the Minnesota Office of Educational Leadership (OEL) was directed to develop a plan for a 2-year research project to determine the effectiveness of a learner outcome-based system of education in improving pupil learning. Ten research and development project sites comprising 17 districts and 5 educational consortia received grants of…

Examined the effectiveness of a structured learning skills course for college freshmen (N=75). Compared to a matched control sample the learning skills group achieved a higher grade point average after one year and a higher rate of retention after three years. (JAC)

Advocates the inclusion of music education within the academic curriculum instead of labeling music as being "extracurricular." Supports the importance of music education by discussing how music assists with a child's intellectual development and success in other subjects and rewires the brain to work more efficiently in all areas of thinking.…

Reviews research that supports the value of music education, focusing on topics such as young children listening to music, the child as actor in relation to music, brain research, and being exposed to music education. Addresses how the research affects educational decision-making and provides some facts and statistics. (CMK)

Presents a study that focused on the patterns of development of ethnic self-awareness in college students of Udmurt and Russian nationality. The first stage explores the structure of ethnic self-awareness under differing levels of development, while the second stage studies the patterns of change in ethnic self-awareness under conditions of…

This paper examines the educational impacts of the Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative (BWLI), a pilot program that provided 1:1 technology access to all students and teachers across five public and private middle schools in western Massachusetts. Using a pre/post comparative study design, the current study explores a wide range of program…

School reform is achieved through the collaboration and coordination among educators with the mutual goal of improved learning for all students. Given the complexity within and among educational systems, the need to develop and implement a common framework of school reform based upon mutually agreed-upon goals, standards, outcomes, and…

Several educators highlight aspects of effective staff development programs that have resulted in improved student outcomes, agreeing that staff development is an important ingredient in the elusive formula of success. The article includes a list of eight examples of what experts say about staff development. (SM)

Learning communities continue to be at the heart of teaching and learning today. The purpose of this study is to examine the extent of the impact of the Freshman Academy/Learning Community program on student progress at a historically Black university. The authors also looked at the extent to which students engaged in their learning as a result of…

The outcomes of college attendance that enhance postsecondary education's attractiveness to prospective students are summarized. Some examples of institution-specific outcomes that a college or university can use to differentiate its market segment position and enhance its attractiveness are provided. (Author/MLW)

The effects of systems-based mathematics instruction on students' mathematics achievement were studied over a two-year period. Students taught by that method for the full two years outscored those receiving one year of systems-based instruction, those previously taught by that method, and those taught exclusively by conventional methods.…

A study circle is a group of diverse members of a community who meet with a facilitator to find common ground for solutions and actions. The Study Circles Resource Center proposes a program of Community-Wide Study Circles to talk about student success and develop ideas for action in the community and schools. This brochure provides a rational for…