The self- and group-initiated and on-the-job learning activities of low-income women were explored in a study of a small group of low-income mothers living in the greater Vancouver area of British Columbia, Canada. During the study, the low-income women attended meetings during which a participating researcher documented the women's experiences.…

The Step by Step program was begun in 1994 as an experiment linking sound early childhood educational (ECE) practice with concepts of democracy to create classrooms in which children practice choice and learn critical thinking skills, and in which parents actively participate in their child's education. This manual extends the concepts of…

Compares first grade dropout and repetition rates between regions and within two cities, Belem and Porto Alegre, Brazil. Focuses on teacher selection, qualifications, and attitudes through classroom observation, 72 interviews, and 155 questionnaires. Shows first grade teachers expect low-income students to fail and encourage failure through…

This paper addresses ways ways in which African-American families can influence their children's development, usually with guidance from school or other community agents. We discuss the importance of "discipline styles" for effective parenting and emphasize an approach to family involvement in child development utilizing a child's strengths. We…

In 2007, the Texas Legislature (80th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2007) authorized the creation of the Texas Rural Technology (R-Tech) Pilot program, which provides $8 million in funding to support rural districts in implementing technology-based supplemental education programs. In order to be eligible for funding, districts must have…

The centerpiece of this book are four cases which illustrate classroom research in the context of various learning issues in college classrooms. The cases are intended for discussion by readers of: (1) how the students in the hypothesized situation perceive what is going on; (2) possible hypotheses about what is interfering with student learning;…

This study used the Multiple Worlds Model, with culture as a central component, to examine adolescents' worlds and the types of transitions they make as they move from one context to another. Material for case studies was obtained from a 3-year research project with 55 adolescents varying in gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, achievement…

The purpose of this report is to present the findings of the first phase in a longitudinal study of the impact of changes in the TOEFL® test on teaching and learning in test preparation classrooms. Observations were carried out and interviews conducted with teachers, students, and directors of studies at 10 institutions in six countries in Central…

Within education there has been considerable research into the process of learning to teach. This has often taken the form of investigations of trainee-teachers' knowledge and beliefs. However, within ELT, empirical research into the development of trainees' thinking whilst taking a formal training programme is limited. This article reports on a…

Time coding forms, rating scales, interview schedules, and a questionnaire were developed for use in the Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study, a project designed to evaluate teaching effectiveness as demonstrated by student achievement in second and fifth grade reading and mathematics. The forms used to record data and the manuals detailing the…

Three years of evaluation activities were conducted by the Institute for Developmental Studies (IDS) at New York University for the 1973-1976 program years of Project Mainstream, a Title III, ESEA project in New York's Lower Hudson Region. This work was carried out with the cooperation and support of the Yonkers, New York school system. Objectives…

This volume of CATESOL (California Association of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) Occasional Papers includes the following: "ESL Adult Literacy," by Jack Wigfield; "Language Teaching as a Means to Self Knowledge, Self Acceptance, and Communication with Others," by Beverly Galyean; "Let Your Students Be Actors: Using Videotape…

This study compared self-contained and regular classrooms for the quantity and quality of instruction provided to students classified as emotionally disturbed, learning disabled, and educable mentally retarded. The study compared 22 effectiveness indicators within 6 modifiable dimensions of instructional variables: (1) questioning style, (2)…

In an effort to increase the knowledge about professional development programs that promote strong instructional leaders, the Wallace Foundation recently commissioned a study of innovative principal professional development programs and the policy and funding mechanisms that support them. In fall 2003, the foundation awarded a grant to a team of…

The purposes and methods of testing in bilingual and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) education are discussed. Different instruments, including specific published tests, are listed and described briefly. They include language proficiency assessments, achievement tests, and assessments in special education. Introductory sections address topics…