The author argues that quality in schooling can be attained or judged only in relation to what are conceived to be the purposes of schooling, and that concepts of the purposes of schooling differ within the society and change according to the changing circumstances of the society. (CT)

Describes an evaluation of the added value of skills methods for preventing smoking with sixth-grade students from two schools. Skills conditions subjects learned problem-solving, self-instruction, and interpersonal communication methods. The article discusses the strengths, limits, and implications of the study for other smoking prevention…

Discusses the power that local school districts and schools exert over the eventual success or failure of state government initiatives. Analyzes three major hurdles that reform efforts must surmount at the district and school levels: affecting classroom instruction; eliciting a commitment of local resources; and becoming integrated into other…

This study describes the results of a three-year evaluative investigation of a project designed to enhance teacher use of cooperative goal structuring strategies with resultant changes in the classroom learning environment and achievement gains in reading and language arts. (Authur/BW)

Indiana's K-12 consumer and economic education program was rated very high by participating teachers. However, the lack of program effectiveness beyond just in-service training is reflected by the fact that no significant differences were found between the economic concepts that participanting and nonparticipating economics teachers reported…

The requirements of No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) has presented challenges for schools and districts across the United States such as a new need to focus on test scores and student achievement. While all states, districts, and schools face challenges that require them to adjust the structure and delivery of instruction in their schools,…

A preliminary set of analyses was conducted linking students to courses and courses to teachers based upon data collected by the Louisiana Department of Education's Divisions of Planning, Analysis, and Information Resources and Student Standards and Assessments. An analysis of covariance, a weighted analysis of covariance, and a hierarchical…

Debates about developmental instruction have prompted postsecondary institutions to justify their developmental courses. This study investigated a method of documenting the benefits of developmental courses that involves using placement test scores to predict college outcomes separately for students who take a developmental course before taking…

This report discusses the pitfalls and success of distance learning programs. The report covers instructional alternatives of telecourse, linked courses, computer-aided learning, correspondence courses, and audio/video instruction. Sixteen concerns for distance learning programs are identified; for example: (1) registration procedures for distance…

This paper describes implementation of the federal government's DC 21st Century Community Learning Center (DC 21st CCLC) program during the summer of 2001, focusing on the use of computer technology to improve academic achievement. The DC 21st CCLC program provides funding to schools in the District of Columbia to improve their out-of-school-time…

In this study we examine the development of prospective primary teachers' efficacy beliefs (TEB) with respect to teaching mathematics during practicum. The analysis of the responses of 89 student teachers in three repeated scale distributions indicated a marked positive change in all groups formed by cluster analysis. Eight students were…

The purpose of this research report was to analyze the effectiveness and attitudes of students in grades six through eight who are enrolled in a balanced literacy program. There were 188 students enrolled in the program ranging in ages from 11 to 17. Twenty percent of the students in the program have been retained at least once. The program…

The purpose of this paper is to determine the effectiveness of computer-based instruction to deliver cross-cultural education to agriculturalists. A quasi-experimental research method known as a nonequivalent control-group design was employed to compare and contrast the effectiveness of delivering a cross-cultural module via traditional classroom…

This volume contains the four 1998 quarterly issues of this newsletter that present best practices, current research on adult learning and literacy, and information on how research is used by adult basic education teachers, counselors, program administrators, and policy makers. The following are among the major articles included: "Power,…

This report discusses the findings from an evaluation study of the Learning Without Limits program in the fifth grade at Riverdale Elementary in the Shelby County Schools district, Memphis, Tennessee. The overall purpose of the evaluation was twofold: (a) to provide formative evaluation data to Riverdale School to use as a basis for improvement…