As schools evolve improvement plans in keeping with higher standards and expectations and increased accountability, most planners recognize they must include a comprehensive focus on addressing barriers to student learning and promoting healthy development. A growing volume of research on the value of schools, families, and communities working…

Traditional educational policy analysis is typically evaluative, focusing on degrees of success or failure, often obscuring how particular forms of knowledge and power reproduce social inequity. A Foucauldian, postmodern framework is particularly appropriate for analyzing educational policy because, in part, the Foucauldian concepts of…

This book provides information on what works in education, how teachers can find what works, how educational research can find its way into classrooms, and how teachers can apply it to help individual students. Data come from a meta-analysis of research studies on instructional strategies that could be used by K-12 teachers. Nine research-based…

In light of the 1997 Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requiring the inclusion of students with disabilities in state and district assessments, this report summarizes findings of a research synthesis designed to provide empirically based data to inform states regarding decision making for assessment polices. The…

A method is proposed to tie good writing skills to science and engineering curriculum without actually teaching writing. It encourages students to explain in writing the reasoning behind solutions to technical and mathematical problems. This places emphasis on reasoning rather than intimidating symbols and rewards clarity and cohesion. (MSE)

Compared the cost effectiveness of the social learning approach and the social learning approach with reinforcement to increase targeted social skills with socially withdrawn/isolate children. The frequency of four behaviours were observed. The social learning approach with reinforcement was more cost effective, thus more feasible. (Author)

A teacher's use of appealing physical education activities to develop other educational skills and to encourage behavior change in learning impaired children is described. The teacher makes up a behavior plan with each child in the homeroom; positive behavior earns breaks, free play, and the right to use gym equipment and to participate in…

A point system was introduced at an elementary school in British Columbia whereby: (1) students lost points for their entire class when they misbehaved; and (2) point totals were openly posted daily and weekly. The method proved effective in improving the behavior of the whole school population. (Authors/PP)

Reviews literature on effects of being imitated and the social influence function of imitation, plus related literature on conformity from social psychology. Considers this research within a number of theoretical contexts, especially within the conceptual framework of effectance motivation. Suggests imitation may facilitate mastery and control of…

Cooper and Baron's conclusions (EJ 174 719) that teachers' performance expectations were more potent predictors of their reinforcement behavior in class than were their attributions of responsibility is criticized on the basis of methodological flaws in the study. Evidence associations between teachers' attributions of responsibility and their…

Eleven papers comprise the special issue on learning disabilities and deal with definition, prevalence, promising research strategies, and potentially effective educational treatments oriented toward the processes of thought and the "learning to learn" strategy. (DB)

Parents were equally effective in modifying their childrens' negative behaviors regardless of method: individual in-home; individual in-office; or group in-office. Although operations costs favored group delivery, the more comprehensive opportunity and client costs favored individual in-home delivery. (CP)

To be an effective educator and motivator, teachers must clearly communicate their expectations based on an understanding of student behavior. The educator's goal should be to accent the positive behaviors, increase student self-esteem, and make discipline part of the educational process. (JAC)

A study involving five fourth-grade behavior problem children with reading failure was designed to replicate an earlier study which demonstrated positive effects of teacher written praise notes as motivating agents for improved performance. (SBH)