A study seeks to examine fifth grade students' perceptions of learning preferences for individualistic, competitive, cooperative, and communal learning as well as students' perceptions of their classroom-learning environment. Results show that students prefer group learning compared to individualistic and competitive learning and that a majority…

The comprehensive high school has changed little over the past few decades, in spite of the rising numbers of immigrant children populating U.S. public schools. Critics claim that high school traditions and structures consign English language learners to marginal positions and inferior academic opportunities. In our intensive analysis of 8 English…

The current high-stakes accountability environment has created strong incentives for educators to systematically collect and use data to inform instructional decisions. This article examines the strategies employed by three urban school districts to promote data use for instructional improvement and their effect on administrator, principal, and…

The dual system of vocational training is a joint government-industry program and part of the general educational system in Germany. It provides hands-on training in private businesses coupled with specialized instruction in public vocational schools at no cost to students. The objective of the dual system is to provide young people with the best…

Perspectives on educating persons with disabilities and the move toward inclusive education and school restructuring are considered. Trends in the number of students with disabilities and placement patterns are briefly examined. Four categories of students that represent 95 percent of students served are identified: specific learning disabilities,…

In response to the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and its amendments, most urban schools have created special programs for homeless students to help them succeed academically and to offer them access to social services and a safe and stress-free environment. Recruitment, enrollment, and service coordination policies are adapted to the…

The North Central Regional Educational Laboratory has developed principles for culturally responsive education, along with a series of tools to help educators respond to the needs of students from a variety of cultural backgrounds. This selective listing of promising programs and practices has been developed to provide examples of professional…

Technology has a key role in the latest educational reform in which the focus has shifted from what should be taught to how it should be taught. In general, computers in New Zealand schools, particularly secondary schools, are not integrated into classrooms. Lack of funding has resulted in schools buying computers almost entirely from funds raised…

This paper examines interviews with principals and surveys of 19 teachers in 5 schools about their use of portfolio assessment. Six themes are identified that reveal the impact of portfolio assessment. Teachers reported that using portfolios broadened the types of evidence they considered in assessing students. The transition to portfolio…

This report provides information on the education system of Rwanda, and is designed to assist college admissions officers and registrars in the United States with the admission and placement of students from that country. The report contains general information on the geography, people, and history of Rwanda, as well as more specific information…

This book applies the "Principles of Good Practice for Assessing Student Learning" developed by the American Association for Higher Education (AAHE) to 82 case examples of assessment strategies being implemented at American institutions of higher education. Part 1 presents 10 chapters each covering one of the nine AAHE principles (and an…

Music educators are required not only to master the body of knowledge representing the music curriculum, but to manage instruction so that they may convey this knowledge effectively and efficiently to their students. In order to promote good instruction, teachers find that a systematic behavioral management plan is required. Unfortunately, many…

This thesis attempts to explain, in light of contrastive rhetoric, the Chinese preference of set phrases and the American disapproval of cliche. It asserts that because society and culture shape the way individuals use their language, Chinese and Americans hold different rhetorical expectations and observe different conventions in forming their…

Current histories of adult education trace it back to the early part of the 20th century. They share several assumptions: (1) "modern" adult education started early in this century; (2) antecedents go back to early European colonization of North America--but ignore Spanish colonizers; (3) the movement is exclusively Eurocentric, seeing no…

As part of an effort to improve its summer school offerings, Arkansas' Garland County Community College conducted a survey of summer school practices at the state's 23 other two-year colleges. Survey results, based on responses from all 23 schools, included the following: (1) 13 schools offered 2 sessions during the summer months, 7 offered 3…