This applied dissertation was designed to evaluate a Reading Recovery program at an alternative school in Florida. The Reading Recovery program was used as an intervention for improving students' reading skills and performances on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) that is given each year to students in Grades 7 and 8. The…

Nontransient 6th- and 8th-grade urban middle school students' achievement test scores were examined before (4th grade) and during (6th or 8th grade) enrollment in a performing ensemble. Ensemble participation (band, choir, none) and subject variables of socioeconomic status (SES) and home environment were considered. Fourth- and 6th-grade…

This study aimed to investigate the potential of the Accelerated Reader (AR) program to positively impact student scores on the English-Language Arts California Standards Test (CST). The degree of attention placed on student reading achievement and improvement in high-stakes student standardized test scores in the state of California, as well as…

In order to examine effective behaviors and efficacy, this study examined the relationships between the self-reflection of effective practices by principals and teachers, as assessed by self-efficacy scales, and student achievement, as evaluated by the state assessment program. Other studies determined that effective behaviors preceded and…

Educators must continue to nurture those processes that involve social negotiation and stem from the home and community by engaging students who come from various racial/ethnic groups and their classmates in various collaborative learning structures. To be successful as facilitators of intercultural classroom discourse, it is important for…

Student attitudes about learning were assessed in association with usage of MicroWorlds, a multimedia learner-based software program, as a publishing tool. A language arts class of 19 sixth graders was divided into cooperative groups following a small group investigation model. After implementing a two-week unit which incorporated MicroWorlds as…

Pointing out that the label of dyslexia carries an acute stigma of mental incompetence (and the researcher/author is herself dyslexic), this booklet intends to provide educators and parents with a frame of reference regarding the topic of dyslexia. Defining dyslexia broadly as "characterized by a consistent difficulty with processing…

This practicum was designed to develop performance-based assessment tools to document language arts achievement for use in eighth-grade language arts classes. Two eighth grade language arts classes (55 students) participated in the program for an entire school year, maintaining a writing portfolio and a record-keeping portfolio. A video portfolio…

A practicum was designed to increase teacher awareness of how the diversity and dynamics of oral language impacted student participation in the classroom. Participation in classroom activities, such as following directions and group discussions, was influenced by each student's ability to express ideas and to remember, process, and retrieve…

This document reviews the literature about the variety of instructional methods to teach social studies concepts. Divided into five parts, part 1 investigates current curriculum goals in social studies. Part 2 examines the literature on the use of textbooks and stategies in social studies instruction. Part 3 explores the use of textbooks…

In the wake of Alabama's new rules requiring multicultural education in teacher education programs, a study examined whether multicultural literature was actually being taught in all levels of education in the state, how it was being taught, and who was teaching it. The study covered English language arts classes throughout Alabama in levels K…

A study examined the effect of a kinesthetic component in instruction on the performances of 16 5- and 6-year-old public school students on a cognitive development test. Eight boys and eight girls were randomly selected and assigned in equal numbers to a treatment group and a control group. The kinesthetic elements consisted of drawing, coloring,…

This instructional resource for classroom teachers and teacher educators who are actively involved in the development and enhancement of mentoring relationships between classroom professionals describes a mentoring relationship between an experienced teacher and a first-year teacher in middle school language arts. The resource outlines lessons…

Presenting a wide array of Internet addresses and sample lessons, this book shows how teachers can integrate the Internet into their K-12 curriculum to actively involve students. The ideas and lessons in the book help students to communicate with people in faraway places; gather information from around the globe; develop sophisticated research…

Providing guidance to language arts teachers and those responsible for curriculum development, this handbook provides a model competency-based language arts program that provides direction for Ohio school districts in developing local competency-based educational programs. The model includes the following for grades 1 through 12: (1) a model…