This action research paper describes a program initiated by teacher researchers to improve academic achievement and interest in social studies. The targeted group consisted of fifth graders in a lower middle class community in the Midwest. Analysis of the problem-causes data show three main factors: curriculum, attitude, and effect. In regard to…

As part of its contract to develop a framework for continuous school improvement in its four-state region (Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia), Appalachia Educational Laboratory staff designed the Quest project. Based upon principles of inquiry, collaboration, and action research, Quest supports and investigates ongoing school…

This report discusses the outcomes of a study that investigated whether the Accelerated Reader program meets its claim to motivate and improve reading achievement for all students, including those with special needs. The Accelerated Reader program is a computer-based reading management system that includes a database of thousands of books ranging…

The idea behind this guide is that assessing student performance through projects not only allows for the observation of affective behaviors and cognitive strategies that affect learning, but also helps to make instruction fully responsive to students' needs. This resource kit was developed to assist teachers in understanding the purpose of…

This TIP contains information on the best practice guidelines on case management for substance abuse treatment providers. It serves to educate program coordinators and facilitators about the factors to consider as they decide to modify or implement case management activities. Many substance abuse clients arrive for treatment with a number of other…

This applied dissertation was designed to help fourth-grade teachers successfully integrate computer-related technology into the curriculum. The fourth-grade teachers did not incorporate student use of technologies into the curriculum-related activities or plan lessons collaboratively with the researcher. There was no correlation between classroom…

This action research project evaluated the impact of strategies to increase parental involvement and improve student interest in academics and school-related activities. Participating were students in an eighth grade social studies class and third through seventh grade learning disabilities classes in a rural school setting. The need for increased…

This paper describes a program designed to increase student motivation to complete homework assignments. The targeted population consisted of 3rd, 4th, 9th, and 10th grade students attending schools in the Midwest. Analysis of probable cause data reveals that parental involvement can be insufficient and misdirected. Homework can lack relevance to…

This report describes a program encouraging students to choose reading as a recreational activity. The targeted population consisted of first, second, third, and fourth grade students in a growing middle class community, near a large Midwestern city. The problem of students choosing recreational activities other than reading was documented through…

Most of the 84 schools responding to the survey offered multicultural education. Programs were similar in content and objectives, but predominantly Black or Hispanic schools typically offered courses on their cultures alone. Few supported their claims of success with formal evaluation. (CP)

Focuses on a Web-based version of a national survey for the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) of public library involvement with the Internet. Describes the procedures used to develop the Web-based questionnaire, identifies issues concerning Web-based research, and presents recommendations for the future…

Describes procedures for choosing process skill materials for evaluation. Steps include selecting software titles, reading descriptions, and skimming for key phrases associated with process skills, examining courseware, considering cost versus time, and the selecting process. Sample forms for the evaluation process are included. (RT)

A study of adapted physical education (APE) practices in rural Wyoming revealed that many school districts did not offer APE programs; minimal, if any, specialization was required of APE teachers; larger districts were more likely to employ APE teachers; and there was considerable need for APE teacher training. Contains survey questionnaire and…

Describes the effects upon the attitude and achievement of a group of below average sixth grade readers generated by enriching the language arts curriculum from a literature base to a science base. Results indicate that attitude did not improve overall, but the achievement measure increased for 12 of the 17 students. The attitude survey is…

Describes a study of state employees that was conducted to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the use of teleconferencing to increase creativity among workers. A model of creativity is explained, the pretest/posttest used to assess teleconferencing effectiveness is presented, and implications for teleconferencing are discussed. (eight…