Results of a study conducted with first-grade Mexican American children indicate that direct reading instruction to precise behavioral objectives is more effective than teaching to Mexican American children's supposed "cultural learning styles" as recommended by Manuel Ramirez and Alfredo Castaneda in 1974. (GT)

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) for a handicapped child necessitates a program amenable to evaluation. A comprehensive approach consists of evaluability assessment, process evaluation, outcome evaluation, and consumer evaluation. Utilization of each strategy results in obtainment of evaluation information for program development,…

Social work doctoral programs increasingly embrace an interdisciplinary orientation and structure. The strengths and weaknesses of interdisciplinary doctoral education are assessed. Six alternative models of interdisciplinary programs are identified based on the content of knowledge and the structure of the program, and the relative costs and…

The effects of an individualized mastery instructional system similar to the Keller plan was compared with a conventional lecture-discussion-recitation system in mathematics courses. In general, the superiority of achievement and attitude outcomes claimed for the Keller plan in many reports was not observed in this study. (Author/RL)

Medical education research indicates little has been done to improve teaching effectiveness of attending physicians on hospital wards. Moreover, there have been few studies to determine what the attending physician should attempt to accomplish with medical school trainees. More data collected in clinical settings are needed. (RD)

Mainstreaming autistic children requires dealing with certain types of behavior: disruptive behavior, learning problems, and difficulties functioning in group-oriented activities. Recent advances in behavioral treatment procedures have alleviated some of these problems. (MH)

Describes a tutorial program where volunteer parents tutor junior high students. A preservice training program emphasizing communication skills and tutorial skills is provided by the school counselor. (Author/HMV)

The Classroom Practices Survey, a national survey of nearly 4,000 third- and fourth-grade teachers, found little differentiation in teachers' instructional and curricular practices to meet the needs of gifted students. An individualized approach to staff development and encouragement of reflective teaching practices are urged. (DB)

Shows the effects of a tutorial program for college students using process-oriented instruction. Process-oriented instruction combines domain-specific knowledge with teaching thinking strategies. Tutorials included a diagnostic learning style instrument and learning guides. Evaluation questionnaires and exam scores both indicated improved study…

Describes the EDUCATE program (End-User Courses in Information Access through Communication Technology), funded by the European Union for the education of information users. The aim is to produce a self-paced user education course in the selection and use of information sources found on the World Wide Web. (Author/LRW)

A model professional development school (PDS) serves Celebration, Florida, a planned community built by the Disney Corporation. The K-12 Celebration School resulted from cooperation among the Osceola County School District, Stetson University, and Disney. In this PDS, featuring multiage groupings and individualized instruction, students, staff,…

Interviews with a learning disabled student, parent activist, teacher, tutor, and researcher reveal that learning disabilities are neurologically caused, not the result of low motivation or dysfunctional families. A variety of educational practices are explained that accommodate different learning styles of children with learning disabilities. It…

Funded by the National Science Foundation, the Hispanic Math Project is a stand-alone tutorial program that teaches measurement lessons with a theme-based presentation format. The interactive bilingual, multicultural program consists of situational modules that combine digital video and animation to deliver developmentally appropriate,…

This article discusses new computer-based technology for language teaching and learning, including integrated learning systems that provide instruction content via an individualized program of study, multimedia/hypermedia, and the Internet. Criteria are provided for evaluating each application along with models and resources that can be used with…

A survey of 549 kindergarten and first grade teachers examined attitudes toward, and knowledge of, beginning reading practices that have been shown to prevent reading failure, including explicit instruction in phonemic awareness and word identification skills. Teachers generally had positive attitudes toward explicit reading approaches, especially…