A Boston principal reflects on decade-long efforts to get students and their families to read together. Initiatives ranged from reading contests and upgraded reading materials to reading contracts, literacy shows, parent/home visiting programs, pizza parties, and off-site tutors. Persistence paid off in higher reading scores. (MLH)

Outlines the evolution of environmental education in Russia, based on authors' experiences in transforming curricula in the Republic of Bashkortostan. Summarizes changes adopted in the secondary school and in three regional universities. Evaluates specific problems of introducing environmental education at the pedagogical and engineering oriented…

Based on interviews with eight administrators, teachers, parents, and community volunteers, this article reports the challenges and progress of two urban middle schools in developing comprehensive, permanent school, family, and community partnerships through the National Network of Partnership Schools. Partnership activities and their effects on…

Explores implementation and the change process in relation to "The Quiet Evolution: Changing the Face of Arts Education," which assesses the six regional institutes that receive multiyear funding from the Getty Education Institute for the Arts. Stresses that the report illustrates the importance of designing and documenting implementation…

Examines how a learner-centered Montessori school in Toronto, Ontario, defines, specifies, and implements its management decision-support system. Findings indicate a tightly integrated management system comprised of a few student-focused decision-support elements. Identifies relationships, resources, and particular organizational arrangements as…

Without effective planning, interactive distance education can drain economic and personnel resources. Discusses questions (needs, costs, faculty selection, faculty incentives, time for training and planning, promotion and tenure, probability of success, impact on student services) designed to provide a basis from which administrators can obtain…

Outlines ways to restructure programs in Catholic schools, discussing the seven "P's" that must be considered: pastors, principals, professionals, programs, parents, pupils, and parishes. Offers case study of a school in Texas that combined grade levels when enrollments dropped. Reports that achievement scores went up across the board as…

Discusses the changing nature of vocational education in the community college, offers models and strategies for organizing and delivering vocational education, and presents evidence on program effectiveness and outcomes associated with student participation. Notes that for some vocational education approaches--for example, tech prep--little is…

This article discusses ways to implement an effective first- or second-language reading program that provides children with access to reading materials that are relevant to their needs and interests, encourages them to participate in carefully structured activities, and gives them incentives that promote reading. (Author/VWL)

High-stakes testing is forcing debate over achieving both educational excellence and equity. A pragmatic, middle position claims high-stakes testing can work with clear but limited goals, flexibility, and the will to address at-risk students' problems. Texas, Chicago, and New York City programs and implementation steps are highlighted. (MLH)

Explains the main factors affecting implementation of curriculum innovations, including those related to teachers, innovations, and change agents. Introduces Hong Kong's Target- Oriented Curriculum initiative, a constructivist, active-learning framework, and shows how these factors enhanced or hindered program implementation. Teacher attitudes…

Studied the extent of use and usefulness of "Turn Your School Round," a behavior management package aimed at promoting discipline, learning respect, and responsibility for one's actions. Found that almost half of 83 schools responding used the program or one of its components; success was reported more among schools using entire program…

This article defines service learning and describes service learning as a distinct pedagogy from field-based professional programs. Fundamental components of service learning courses and guidelines for developing, implementing, and evaluating service learning courses in special education programs for majors and non-majors are presented. (Contains…

Describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of Project Literacy Education and Families (LEAF), a family literacy program that provides experiences for parents to develop their skills and confidence that will enable them to see possibilities instead of limitations. Details four Program components: adult literacy, early childhood…

When they are well-devised and implemented, academic standards, tests, and associated accountability provisions can change the nature of teaching and learning. They can lead to a richer, more challenging curriculum, foster teacher collaboration, create a more productive teacher/parent dialogue, and focus attention on student achievement. (MLH)