This paper reviews Lev Vygotsky's theories concerning optimizing of potential through assistance, support, or instruction. The paper notes that there is a "zone of proximal development" or a band around intelligence quotient (IQ) scores reflecting one's true potential. IQ tests are generally well-standardized and "static,"…

This manual encourages teachers, business people, and administrators to create innovative local school/business programs by listing and describing American programs that have been proven successful. A directory describing the role of businesses in education is included. Additional comments and program descriptions are divided into three…

All mentoring programs have to make decisions about which available adult volunteer to match with which specific child or youth. The issue of same-race matching is often a particularly difficult one for these programs. In the section "The Question of Race," this technical assistance packet provides an overview of the debate over same-race and…

Oral communication competence is essential for career success and for effective participation as a citizen in a democratic society. Unfortunately, many students do not have oral communication competence, and even more unfortunately the success of graduating students rests heavily on their communication skills. Oral communication competence,…

These guidelines are designated to help Maryland school system personnel and architects develop educational specifications and designs for new building construction or major renovation projects that include a library media center. The task force, which developed the standards, began this effort by gathering information on the State's school…

Quality music education in schools integrates fundamental musical activities and presents them in a sequential, pedagogically sound curriculum. As identified in the 1997 National Assessment for Educational Progress in music, the processes of creating, performing, and responding to music are interwoven throughout a balanced and complete music…

Academic learning stops when students become overwhelmed by problems. To counter this plight, some innovative methods and techniques that motivate teens to learn, stay in school, and graduate are offered in this guide. The text provides a detailed description of the process for developing an accelerated alternative high school, utilizing the…

This monograph explores and discusses issues related to student-athletes with emphasis on entering student-athletes, and on development of programs to facilitate positive relationships between student-athletes and their universities. Following an introduction by the editor, the included chapters are: (1) "An Interview with Mike McGee" (Betsy O.…

This booklet presents the Reading Framework for the 1992, 1994, 1998, and 2000 National Assessments of Educational Progress (NAEP), adopted by the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB). The Framework contains the rationale for the aspects of reading assessed and criteria for development of the assessment. Developed through a national…

This document outlines the performance standards for dance in North Dakota public schools, grades K-12. Four levels of performance are provided for each benchmark by North Dakota educators for K-4, 5-8, and 9-12 grade levels. Level 4 describes advanced proficiency; Level 3, proficiency; Level 2, partial proficiency; and Level 1, novice. Each grade…

Dance should be seen as an authentic avenue for allowing students to learn kinesthetically by using movement that is essential to brain development. Ideally students would be exposed to dance forms and patterns in other art forms like music and drama as well as units within physical education classes. These North Dakota standards may be taught…

A school psychologist briefly describes the use of academic coaching with gifted students who are underperforming possibly because of a disability such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Coaches are urged to first, review the student's assessment data; second, determine the student's ability to benefit from coaching; third, determine…

A study investigated the developmental experiences of 54 black, educationally disadvantaged first-year students in a South African technical institute, particularly differences in student performance when problem solving individually and with mediation. Student reflections and experiences in making the adjustment from secondary to postsecondary…

Guidelines are presented to assist in establishing programs to meet the needs of students who are both gifted and learning disabled. The guidelines suggest focusing attention on development of the giftedness, offering a nurturing environment that values individual differences, teaching compensation strategies, and developing awareness of…

This paper discusses the use of bibliotherapy with gifted students and introduces "cinematherapy," the use of movies to help students explore important issues in their lives. Plot summaries, post-viewing discussion questions, and questions relating movies to gifted students' lives are presented for "Stand and Deliver" and "Wargames." A list of…