This article describes how collaboration affects the writing process and reports on an experiment involving the use of group and individual journals concurrently in an upper-division college writing course for prospective teachers. It was found that group journals engendered more careful attention to writing performance and greater comprehension…

The creation of a teacher-researcher community among educators developing a literacy curriculum for students with mild disabilities in the primary grades is discussed. Six categories of discourse among the teachers and researchers are considered, and findings that might usefully guide collaborative research are discussed. (SW)

The federal role of developing connections between researchers and practitioners in education is discussed, with attention to the activities of the Office of Special Education Programs' Division of Innovation and Development. Changes in the roles of teachers in applying research knowledge are considered. (SW)

This review provides a framework for evaluating professional development programs designed to enhance the education of students with disabilities. Common components of three successful professional development programs are considered, with attention to connecting theory and practice, involving teachers in collaborative and supportive roles, and…

Describes the challenges Boston University (Massachusetts) faced in achieving two goals in its partnership agreement with the Chelsea (Massachusetts) public school system: (1) to improve Chelsea schools' financial management; and (2) to expand the range of operating funds available to the school system. (GR)

Presents a review of Joan Barickman's book, "Schoolwise: Teaching Academic Patterns of Mind," which emphasizes performance-based student evaluation and portfolio assessment. Concludes that the book can help provide concrete ideas for positively altering teaching processes and for making learning more engaging for students and teachers.…

Asserts that many who work in elementary education consider social studies to be the core of the curriculum. Focuses on the use of social studies as a vehicle for curricular and instructional change, particularly in ways that promote caring and inclusion. (CFR)

Proposes a model for intelligent computer-aided education systems that is based on cooperative learning, constructive problem-solving, object-oriented programming, interactive user interfaces, and expert system techniques. Future research is discussed, and a prototype for teaching mathematics to 10- to 12-year-old students is appended. (LRW)

Maintains that music students who understand the historical and cultural contexts of music will present more enlightened and expressive performances. Presents recommended strategies designed to foster cultural understanding among music students. Includes a list of selected resources. (CFR)

Reports a study that examined eight Canadian elementary schools that were implementing cooperative learning, describing the context and design of the cooperative learning project, identifying nine common concerns of elementary teachers beginning to implement cooperative learning, offering suggestions to staff developers for supporting teachers,…

This article describes some of the experiences teacher educators and school teachers have had as they become more involved in working together, highlighting the benefits of beginning and maintaining collaborative activities. Three case studies explain that collaboration can be an informal process with no particular blueprint for success. (SM)

Presents the results of a research project involving language teachers in Italy, their use of the target language (TL) and its interrelationship with collaborative and independent learning. The investigation was conducted by asking 21 Italian teachers of English to fill in a questionnaire concerning their beliefs regarding classroom use of TL. (15…

A statewide network provides an effective support and communication system between university physical education teacher educators and physical education teachers and improves student teaching experience. The article describes the steps that led to the formation and implementation of a statewide communication network by the University of Wyoming.…

The Instructional Priority System is presented as a collaborative approach in which teachers, specialists, students, and their parents participate in the instructional decision-making process for developing, implementing, and generalizing learning strategies. The skills needed by the student are identified and prioritized, and responsibilities…

A project of the Talented and Gifted Program in Torrington, Connecticut, is described. The project involved classroom teachers, the gifted teacher, art teacher, and physical education teacher leading fourth-grade students in developing a life-size skeleton, a tape-recorded narration explaining the skeletal system, and a song. (JDD)