The laboratory school for Southeast Missouri State University offers individualized French and Spanish second language instruction to secondary students by scheduling them together in one multilevel class. Students progress individually and in small groups through planned, self-paced, continuous progress programs. Each student is given a checklist…

Intended for administrators and policy makers as well as teachers, this digest explores the components common to effective writing programs. The digest first discusses activities at the classroom level as the foundation of a successful writing program and elements that should be included in classroom instruction, such as the process approach to…

Three types of evaluation methods are discussed in terms of their use in evaluating both cognitive and affective learning in developmental programs: standardized tests; criterion-referenced tests; and naturalistic inquiries. Section I looks at the complexities of learning and the inherent difficulties in judging the quality and quantity of what is…

Profiles are presented of programs effective in delivering special education services to students in rural areas. Projects are reviewed in terms of title, contact, strategy setting (occupations, income, special education staff, number of special education students), problem, strategy description, potential users, population affected, special…

Cross-peer tutoring in English as a second language, in which an under-achieving native English-speaking student tutors a limited-English-speaking student, focuses on learning as a cooperative undertaking and addresses both the process and the outcome of learning. In one such project, student tutors were chosen according to their characteristics…

The Community Education Center of Meade 46-1 School District studied the effectiveness of adult basic education (ABE) programs throughout South Dakota. The study coordinators reviewed and computerized 359 case histories submitted from 23 different programs throughout the state. From this database, numerous conclusions about the ABE delivery system…

Under the Teacher Education Center (TEC) Act in Florida, the state's universities, colleges and public school districts were placed into a collaborative working relationship. Using money allocated by the state, school districts can contract with one or more universities or colleges for the delivery of inservice. This paper illustrates strategies…

This paper, reviews the history of mainstreaming and the mixed results of its research base. Research findings on specific variables are outlined for consideration when integrating students with special needs. The variables discussed include: (1) academic achievement, which focuses on early identification of learning needs, and preparation for the…

Foothill College's matriculation plan is composed of seven components, each with its own goals, staffing, hardware, planning activities, outcomes, and timelines. Though the college began to implement the plan in 1987, a number of the goals and activities will be only partially fulfilled in 1988-89. The goals of the admissions component are…

The Long Beach Fire Department (California), developed a program to foster and improve the development of future fire department managers who are promoted from within the department. A 10-day orientation program was developed. The competency-based program featured a mix of management-leadership training (the nature of leadership, personnel…

The development of a composition segment in a course in English as a second language for graduate students in a Chinese technological university is described. The approach used in tailoring the program to student needs and university requirements under the severe constraints of scheduling and available resources is discussed. Letters to the…

This paper discusses the effective restructuring of schools to accommodate at-risk children. Broadly, it addresses some issues of school structure and management for meeting the educational needs of this large and increasing group of students. Specifically, it defines and analyzes effectiveness within the accelerated schools model developed by…

Research in staff development and in teacher career development provides useful information so that staff development programs can be tailored to accommodate teachers' needs at different career stages. Findings of studies on staff development have identified characteristics of successful inservice programs. Collaboration between all participants…

The Direct Instruction Follow Through program of enhanced instruction for children in kindergarten through grade 3 was introduced in 1968 in schools serving disadvantaged students in 180 communities throughout the United States. To determine the long-term effects of the program, a study compared the performance of the first three cohorts of Follow…

Designed for use by elementary school principals, this guide contains suggestions for (1) assessing the effectiveness of the school reading program, (2) determining the instructional needs of teachers and the reading skill needs of students, and (3) implementing specific strategies to effectively accomplish desired reading program improvements.…