Describes the general education program for a Russian eighth grade student, compared to key elements reported in Lounsbury and Clark's 1990 national study of eighth graders. Russian intermediate students care how they look, like to socialize and discuss politics, and complete several hours of homework. Schools lack interdisciplinary teaming,…

Factor analysis of Self-Help Inventory from 307 outpatients receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy for affective disorders revealed 3 factors that assessed frequency of active coping strategies use when depressed, helpfulness of strategies, and willingness to learn new strategies. Frequency and Helpfulness scales were not correlated with patient…

Presented are five short articles which describe innovations in mathematics teaching. Included are "Polar Summation,""The Age of the Solar System,""Forward Homework--A Motivational Tool,""Trigonometric Identities through Calculus," and "Algorithms for Evaluation of Polynomials." (CW)

Discusses two teaching ideas: (1) copying and distributing anonymous student mathematics homework to the class to increase student responsibility and their ability to communicate and read mathematics, and (2) using maximum/minimum applications of calculus to investigate the most economical dimensions for manufactured metal cans. (MKR)

A study examined the amount and types of responses to homework assignments reported by 577 parents of academically talented elementary students. Students completed homework with few negative responses. While homework assignments increased with grade level, the amount of time parents spent assisting with homework did not increase beyond first…

Discusses how physical activity homework can be used to meet the national standards for physical education and teach students how to pursue a physically active lifestyle outside of school. The paper highlights how one elementary school uses this type of homework. A physical activity homework calendar and a sample skill-practice homework sheet are…

Explores the frequency with which students use background media in self-instructional home study settings, and the perceived effects of students' use of background media on their homework performance. Examines the results from 1,700 students in grades 8 and 10. Finds that there was variability in background media use dependent on assignment type.…

Of 19 college algebra classes, 12 used WeBWorK and 7 used traditional paper and pencil homework (PPH). Given the earlier quantitative result that no significant difference in performance between WeBWorK and PPH classes was found, a qualitative analysis of 358 student and instructor surveys revealed 3 primary categories of student perceptions…

This research investigated mothers' affect in the context of children's homework. Mothers (N=109) of children 8 to 12 years old were interviewed daily about their affect while interacting with children, their assistance with children's homework, and children's behavior while completing homework. At this time and 6 months later, children's…

What is the effect on studies when integrating Web Assignment Checker (WAC) into science teaching? This article examines the change in students' attitudes to this question from the beginning of the course to its end, as compared with the attitudes of the teaching staff. The examiner's questionnaires, incorporating six aspects relating to students'…

This article calls attention to developmental and home conditions that affect the development of good work habits through homework. The first section examines recent studies that have alluded to the possibility of developing good work habits through family involvement with secondary school homework. The second section describes two survey studies,…

This activity helps students understand the relationship between public relations (PR) writing and news writing by demonstrating how PR material gets used in the production of news stories. Considering that "more than 70 percent of daily newspaper copy emanates from PR-generated releases," it is important for students to learn how PR professionals…

This study has pedagogical implications in view of rapidly growing technological development and widespread use of the Internet in instruction. The spread of online homework sites with highly commercial aims has opened a new research area regarding the structure, aim and the significant role of homework in education. Particularly, the changes in…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) The Value of Enhanced Reading Opportunities in High Schools: Report Finds Supplemental Reading Programs Can Improve…

The purpose of this action research project report was to increase the homework completion rate of middle school students through the use of interventions. The participants in this study came from one public middle school. The participants were thirty-four 6th grade students in language arts, respectively. The intervention took place from…