This action research project addressed the problem of declining parent involvement at a Midwestern, suburban elementary school. In order to document parent involvement issues at the site, parent, educator, and student surveys were administered. Surveys were analyzed for effectiveness of home-school communication, perceived barriers to and benefits…

Noting that the use of rewards in the form of stickers, trophies, prizes, points, tokens, and grades is commonplace in elementary education today, this book explores the differences between rewards and recognition and shows how teachers can build student confidence, motivate learning, and develop skills for lifelong learning through recognition.…

This action research project sought to improve student motivation in order to increase academic performance among eighth graders in an urban community. Evidence of academic underachievement and lack of student participation was documented by means of teacher observations, incomplete and missing assignments, and student questionnaires. Student,…

With the aid of case studies, this guide looks at the varying strategies colleges have adopted for raising achievement among different student groups. Chapter 1 discusses the context and purposes/objectives of this guide. Chapter 2 discusses and challenges myths about achievement. The remainder of the guide is organized into three main sections.…

In the twenty-first century, no single racial or ethnic group will constitute a majority of young people in an increasing number of states and communities in the United States, and, therefore, children need to be prepared to share a society of diverse students, neighbors, and co-workers. This book addresses some of the issues involved in making…

This paper presents preliminary findings of a study evaluating effects of social service reform, school restructuring, and special education reform for children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disabilities. Specifically, the study is attempting to identify successful school-based models, explicate the interventions used, and…

Using the premise that skills for living successfully are learned, not inherited, this book details for parents and teachers specific skills that parents can teach that will make a difference in children's lives. The skills have been consistently named by researchers, parents, experts, and educators as critical to success, and pilot-tested at…

The first of the four papers in this symposium, "The Role of the Survey in the Assessment of an Organization for High Performance Redesign: A Case Study" (Teresa K. Moyers, Oris T. Griffin), looks at how one company used a survey to analyze the way the social system currently is designed and operates. "Thriving on Change: An…

This paper reports on a study of part-time faculty at Queensland University of Technology (Australia) which examined concerns and issues facing part-time academic staff, and led to a collaborative and dialectic process for implementing faculty-led changes. The first phase of the project involved: (1)data collection on about 800 individuals,…

This report presents conclusions of a grant program of the Consortium for the Advancement of Private Higher Education (CAPHE) which provided grants to help the 22 participating institutions bring congruence between institutional mission and existing faculty roles and reward structures. Following an introductory section, Section 1 identifies and…

Parent involvement as one of the eight National Education Goals has brought heightened awareness to the importance of connecting educational institutions and their communities. This book addresses major frameworks for understanding family involvement and government support of family involvement projects. The work also presents a theoretical base…

This paper discusses the genius of the principle of normalization in the development of better services for socially devalued people. It argues that the definition of normalization sets a direction for learning-through-action which is clear and convincing, as well as indefinite and conditional, and rests on a deep appreciation of the everyday…

This monograph suggests that many of the fundamental aspects of the design and delivery of education are changing radically. At the same time, three forces are converging to destabilize educational institutions: a new generation of learners is rewriting the rules of service, technology is opening new frontiers, and a new breed of competitors is…

This report from the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, a federal agency that coordinates and promotes public and private efforts to enhance the employment of people with disabilities, discusses the current status of small business and self-employment opportunities for people with disabilities and offers…

Many communities are trying to build sustainable societies, melding the wisdom of nature with culture, by undertaking various projects and initiatives. Although many projects may contribute to community sustainability, it is difficult to know which are most urgent or will be most effective. The purpose of this document is to introduce the concept…