Unresolved conflicts in schools build barriers to learning, including low motivation, lack of focus, and disruptive behaviors that remove students from the classroom. When teacher-student conflicts occur, the negative effects can be long-lasting without a safe and structured way to repair the relationship. This reader-friendly guidebook has a…

Chronic absenteeism is most commonly defined as missing 10 percent or more of school days for any reason. Chronic absenteeism is a proven early warning sign of academic risk and school dropout. While the causes of chronic absenteeism are multifold, research shows that student health and a school's health and wellness environment are key factors…

This book is a straightforward, no-nonsense guide to a research method that can be used by educators to increase student learning, student self-esteem, and quality of school life in the classroom. This user-friendly book covers the principles and history of action research, ethical and legal considerations, methods for conducting both formal and…

This guide will help policymakers understand and define the principles behind fusing core subject knowledge and higher-order thinking skills. Recommendations that reflect these principles will help policymakers support 21st century readiness for all students throughout a reauthorized ESEA and other federal legislation.

Parents are concerned about their children's math learning. Teachers are concerned about math teaching. When parents see what children are bringing home under the new curriculum, it is clear that their children are not working on the same mathematics that parents remember from the time when they were in school. But, the problem goes beyond grades…

The article addresses obstructions to problem solving (such as an overemphasis on learning facts) and suggests six steps to overcome those obstacles: (1) recognizing that the problem exists, (2) understanding the problem, (3) analyzing the problem, (4) considering alternative solutions, (5) choosing the best solution, and (6) evaluating the…

This guide summarizes the theory and process of root cause analysis and shares learnings from real examples. The guide shows how to solve deep-rooted problems that perplex educational systems. The chapters are: (1) Root Cause Basics; (2) Key Indicators of Student Success; (3) Root Cause Processes; (4) Using Root Cause Analysis; (5) Considerations;…

Negotiations through problem solving succeeds because everyone participates and feels good about the process and the product. Lists a step-by-step approach along with tips for arriving at resolutions if the talks falter. (MLF)

To assist in the evaluation of state legislation relating to educational reform a five-step procedure for analyzing state-level policy is provided. (MD)

The author suggests that students can achieve an expansion of successful creative problem-solving through the use of psychosynthesis and allied techniques in transpersonal psychology. This paper discusses the philosophical rational of teaching creativity and examples of a practicum for use in the classroom or work place. (Author/CL)

A framework from which consultants may draw suggestions for modifications to improve achievements in reading programs is presented. The five possible areas of change are task, materials, time, method, and evaluation; examples of each are given. Since existing research offers little guidance, trial and error will prevail in reading intervention…

The author presents ideas for allowing LD students to discover ways to improve their problem-solving skills. Activities touch upon the influence of the environment, the need for patience and planning, factors in sequencing and organization, and the importance of thoroughness and revision. (CL)

The second of two articles defines terms associated with in two contrasting cognitive approaches to promoting problem solving: the visual/spatial, holistic style (terms such as face recognition, impulsive) and the verbal analytic and detail-oriented style (terms such as logical, sequential, and focalized). (CL)

Pitfalls presented in this guide to introducing microcomputers into school curricula include treating the change as magic, rushing to gain publicity, and changing by administrative fiat. Steps outlined to avoid such pitfalls include developing board policy and administrative procedures, acting on committee recommendations, and establishing a…

Approaching an orderly desk as an indication of good use of time, the author proposes (1) six folders to organize paperwork and (2) efficient desktop organization. (JW)