Reports results from the Nuffield Modern Language Inquiry, which surveyed 586 college language students about their experiences in year-abroad exchange programs. Questions focused on students perceived improvement in language and cultural knowledge and future employment prospects. (six references) (MDM)

Utilizes findings from two studies to discuss the effectiveness of role modeling as an instructional strategy in business management education. Suggests that, while the first study did not show a significantly beneficial effect of role modeling, some elements of the second did. Survey instruments are included. (17 citations) (MAB)

Describes a public library program designed to stimulate appreciation of adult fiction written in and about the contemporary western United States. Discussion covers project objectives, oral interpretation of literature, project phases, study guides and bibliographies, staff orientation, lectures, evaluators, personnel, publicity, problems, and…

The Student Teachers' Feelings-of-Preparedness to Teach Scale and individual interviews examined perceptions of first-year Canadian teachers about their preparedness to teach. Includes conclusions about the strengths and weaknesses of their two-year teacher education program at the University of British Columbia, suggestions for program…

Public library programing for babies under 18 months and parents/caregivers is discussed. The results of a national study investigating programs for babies, reasons why they are not offered, librarian attitudes, and funding support are presented. Recommendations for practitioners and researchers are offered, and the questionnaire is appended. (41…

Discussion of performance appraisal and evaluation focuses on a peer review and evaluation process of reference services that was developed at Louisiana State University. Formative evaluation principles are discussed, user survey results are reported, and a checklist for implementing a peer desk review process is provided. (20 references) (LRW)

Discusses barriers adult developmental-writing students face due to family, community, and work responsibilities. Explains how non-writing commitments affect the writing process, particularly by placing time constraints on students. Offers instructors classroom activities to help students contextualize their writing situations and to learn methods…

This study examined the effectiveness of different topics/activities included in a freshman orientation course in enhancing the students' perception of their successful adjustment to college life and the impact of these subjects on the student level of persistence. The results support the Tinto stage model of persistence since the elements of the…

This paper discusses the El Paso Collaborative for Academic Excellence and how it helps improve the literacy skills of all children in El Paso, Texas. The goal of the collaborative is to ensure that all children are successful in school and are prepared to enter and be successful in a four-year college. Its role is to expand leadership and…

This study was designed to assess the impact of "Mathematics Pathways and Pitfalls" ("MPP") on the mathematics that second-, fourth-, and sixth-grade students learn. The specific research questions that were addressed are: (a) What is the impact of "MPP" on students' knowledge of the mathematics topics addressed,…

Flexibility is a lever for change that occupies an increasingly prominent place in federal strategies for educational improvement. Flexibility assumes that local actors are in the best position to identify the most serious problems facing schools and students and to determine how to solve them. Consequently, these actors should be given greater…

The National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth (NCLD-Youth) is one of 15 Youth Resource, Information, and Training Centers focused on empowering youth and emerging leaders with developmental disabilities. The NCLD-Youth is a youth-led center with partners in the District of Columbia as well as in the states of Florida and New…

In 2007, the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) requested that the RAND Corporation monitor implementation of year 2 (2007-2008) of the district's Excellence for All (EFA) initiative and provide feedback to district staff, the PPS board, and other stakeholders. In 2008, RAND expanded to a more comprehensive focus on effective implementation of EFA's…

This special report is a supplement to a series of special education primers created to inform state officials, authorizers and charter school operators about special education in the charter sector. The primer series also provides tools to help these stakeholders build charter school capacity to provide special education and related services. In…

Learning Clicks is a program under the provincial department of Advanced Education and Technology's "Raising Awareness about Planning for Post-Secondary" (RAPPS) umbrella; an initiative that supports Strategy 2.4 in Alberta Advanced Education and Technology's 2007-10 Business Plan to enhance parents' and learners' knowledge and awareness…