This study examined schools which had successfully blended gifted education programs into middle school environments in order to provide outstanding services to gifted middle grades students, and sought to determine the factors that made this successful blending possible. Five sites were visited from a variety of settings and schools that used…

When Japanese education is considered from a Western perspective, the stereotypical image seems to be that of a rigid, achievement-oriented, and traditional system, producing technologically-focused human beings. This presentation focuses on the human and cultural dimensions of Japanese society and on how Japanese children are motivated to achieve…

This manual is designed to support community organizations, concerned educators, and parents as they work to improve local public schools on behalf of immigrant students. Each chapter focuses on central elements of quality schooling from the perspective of the young immigrant. Within each chapter, an analysis of current conditions prevalent in…

The teaching of mathematics from a multicultural perspective is discussed. The first two chapters present a rationale for a multicultural approach to teaching mathematics. The third chapter aims to show, through brief examples, how such an approach can be applied to any school curriculum. The remaining four chapters discuss, in greater detail,…

This paper demonstrates how teacher education institutions can expand understanding of others and tolerance for differences by developing cross-cultural exchange programs in international settings and on the local level. The paper outlines the steps involved in establishing international student teaching programs at three different universities…

To be numerate is to be able to function mathematically in one's daily life. The kinds of mathematics skills and understandings necessary to function effectively in daily life are changing. Despite an awareness in Australia of new skills necessary for the information age and calls that the schools should be instrumental in preparing students with…

The Oregon vision for transforming science education is called concept/process-based science. It is not a program but a conceptual framework which presents goals for the direction of science program development. It focuses science programs on helping students develop basic scientific understandings through the use of the key processes of human…

Research indicates that middle school students need a great amount of physical activity to remain alert, motivated and eager to learn. A study was conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Middle-Level Athletics Task Force to gather and evaluate information about athletic programs that are compatible with young adolescents' needs…

This report on the Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) of 1990-91 presents data on public and private schools, school administrators, and teachers. Data reported for schools include programs or services offered, schools with students receiving Chapter 1 services, graduation rates, and college application rates. The SASS was first conducted in…

Teacher supply and demand are critical policy areas for planning, program funding, and teacher training. Shortages of minority teachers are especially acute, as are shortages in special education. To inform policy decisions at all levels of government, the National Center for Education Statistics collected data during school year 1987-88 through…

This practicum report describes a 12-week project to decrease truancy and improve motivation and academic performance of three students (ages 12 to 18) hospitalized with severe emotional disturbances. A visible and powerful reward system using a menu strategy was developed and implemented in which students participated daily in establishing goals…

This study surveyed 7 special education teachers, 30 regular education teachers (a 46% response), and 32 parents of special education students (also a 46% response) in a rural Ohio school district about their attitudes towards experimental models for special education service delivery. The school district serves 1,232 students, with approximately…

The progress report on the Amigos two-way bilingual education program in the Cambridge (Massachusetts) public schools describes: research on the achievement in mathematics, Spanish, and English of Amigos students and students in control/comparison groups; data gathered on students' and parents' attitudes toward bilingualism and biculturalism;…

The Cognitive Skills Assessment Battery (CSAB), a school-readiness test, is administered to all public school students at the beginning of Grade 1 in South Carolina. This test is designed to measure a student's readiness to begin the formal school curriculum. The number of beginning first graders tested in 1992 (54,357) represented a decrease from…

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) launched the "Maryland and Your World" project in 1983. The purpose of this project is to assist local school systems in implementing guidelines established by MSDE's curricular framework for the social studies. Goal four of this framework focuses on the ideas, institutions, and processes…