A case study was conducted of Ryan, an 11-year-old student from New Zealand whose family came to Australia as itinerant fruit pickers. Classroom observations; document reviews; and interviews with Ryan, his teachers, and the school principal indicated that Ryan was a badly behaved student. However, in focusing on Ryan's behaviors and linking poor…

In recognition that character and knowledge are critical to shaping the whole child, the state of Wisconsin has made a commitment to developing partnerships to ensure that home and school build upon their mutual efforts with children and youth. This guide offers practical, useful strategies, tools, and examples of "what works" for…

This document builds on the success of earlier editions. It includes a number of substantially revised handouts updated from the previous editions, plus many new topics that reflect the challenges parents and educators face in the 21st century. Many handouts for families are also provided in Spanish. This document is a comprehensive resource for…

Invitational theory addresses the total educational environment and culture of the classroom and school, focusing on the people, places, policies, programs, and processes that constitute any school culture. Invitational teaching is a process for communicating caring and appropriate messages to nurture the realization of student potential as well…

This report contains results from a survey of U.S. fourth and eighth grade teachers that examined their teaching philosophies, classroom teaching methods and practices, academic expectations for students, and opinions on other education policy issues. Overall, a majority of teachers described their teaching philosophies as leaning more toward…

This guide for beginning teachers provides assistance in the following areas: (1) "Physical Environment and Materials" (e.g., room arrangement and bulletin boards); (2) "Setting Expectations" (e.g., rules and consequences and early parent communication); (3) "First Days of School" (e.g., activities and teacher daily…

The National Household Education Survey (NHES) is an ongoing project of the National Center for Education Statistics. The NHES used random digit dial sampling and computer-assisted telephone interviewing to conduct studies on important education issues. There are 13 NHES data sets, covering 6 broad educational topics. The six NHES components on…

Faced with increasing concerns of educators, parents, and students regarding the lack of school discipline, this study evaluated a social skills program to reduce inappropriate behavioral incidents in urban middle and rural high school students. Students' inappropriate behavior, such as talking back, not preparing for class or not participating in…

This longitudinal study investigated the influence of social class and family socialization on the development of cognitive competence, educational performance, and academic attainment; the interdependencies between the development of cognitive competence and educational performance; and the impact of social class, family socialization, cognitive…

This book reports a study which examined the concrete experiences of male and female university students in the United Kingdom, and the meanings students attach to them. It suggests that meanings arise from everyday discourse, which habitually uses oppositions such as masculinity/femininity and arts/sciences. Chapter 1 introduces the issue of…

Ideas, shortcuts, and tips on discipline, portfolios, academics, and parent involvement are organized in a list format to help teachers work more efficiently. The six chapters include: (1) Academics (Reading, Writing, Spelling, Science, and Math Journals); (2) Portfolios; (3) Discipline; (4) Caring; (5) Parents (First Time Communication,…

This guide for parents explains the changes in the federal special education law resulting from the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Changes related to the parent's role in decisions about the child's education and in how schools can discipline special education students are highlighted. A…

Compiling essays authored by Benjamin Spock and published in popular magazines, this book explores current trends that have an impact on raising children. The chapters are: (1) "Teaching Values to Children," discussing important values to share, and the value of duties and responsibilities at an early age; (2) "Families," examining the changing…

Noting that over the last decade, the role of a foster parent has evolved from temporary caregiver to essential part of a professional team in determining the best long-term plan for children in their care, this guide focuses on practical ways in which best child welfare practice can be incorporated into the recruitment, training, and support of…

This book provides a comprehensive guide to teaching students to do the right thing. After "Introduction: Caring Teachers Can Make a Difference," 11 chapters include: (1) "Setting the Stage for Appropriate Behavior"; (2) "Expectations, Limits, and Rules" (unreasonable barricades and how to build moderate fences); (3)…