Reviews the experimental literature concerning the effectiveness of prenatal and newborn home visiting programs in improving the lives of children and families, focusing on studies employing randomized trials. Results suggest that home visiting programs have had mixed success, improving some outcomes but not others. (MDM)

Describes the C.A.R.E. program, a student-led program that pairs high school students with elementary school students with moderate special needs for eight weeks of art and recreation. High school students benefit from learning about others with special needs, and elementary school students benefit from quality time with a mentor. (SLD)

Outlines connections between community service experiences and preparing young people for participatory citizenship in a democratic society, identifying components of democratic education practices, distinguishing characteristics that promote democratic citizenship education, and describing several community service learning projects. (SLD)

The University of Idaho and Moscow School District (Idaho) cooperated to create a Spanish enrichment program designed to stimulate academic interest among elementary school children and to provide preservice teachers with additional foreign-language teaching experience. The model offers content-based courses and addresses concerns of junior high…

Classroom assessment and classroom research in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is traced to 1989 when the terms entered the community-college faculty-development vocabulary. They are now household words among the 500 faculty participating regularly in faculty development. Problems encountered and positive results are…

A case study of a large research university illustrates the increasing use of nontenured faculty. Origins of the expansion are examined, arrangements used to resolve staffing problems are described, and their effectiveness and general consequences for departments are assessed. It is concluded that while short-term negative outcomes can be…

A family literacy program used "Be Excited about Reading" bags, which contained quality children's books and family activities that extended the classroom theme to be taken home by at-risk prekindergarten and kindergarten students. The literacy bags reached all families, encouraged family/school partnerships promoting children's learning, affected…

The Technology Enhancing Achievement in Middle School (TEAMS) instructional model is an instructional approach in which technology plays an integral part in the curriculum. This article describes why TEAMS was developed, how instructional units are organized, presents key elements of the model, and first year results. Includes a sample sixth grade…

A consortium comprised of a technologically advanced suburban high school, a struggling urban high school, and a resourceful private college has helped the two high schools publish an online magazine, develop interdisciplinary projects, and prepare submissions to an online chemistry magazine. Linking high- and low-achieving schools benefitted all…

Describes development of POSTECH Live-in English program (PLEP), a five-week intensive-English program at Pohang University of Science and Technology (South Korea) originally designed in 1996 to improve students' English skills and cultural awareness through intensive program of formal instruction with native English teachers. Focuses on reporting…

Missouri's diverse autonomous education system has embarked on a collaborative journey stimulated by average student performance, need for better college preparation, and concerns for a better-prepared workforce. Leaders from education, business, and government are collectively emphasizing a seamless educational system. Mathematics is the focus of…

Molly Stark School in Bennington, Vermont, is a year-round community school that offers a range of education, health and social services benefiting the students, community, and parents. Five successful initiatives (after-school, birth-to-5, mentoring, health and wellness, and parent literacy and involvement programs) are described. (MLH)

A Sacramento district developed a strategic plan designed to promote responsibility and lift people up. At least 9 out of 10 students must meet rigorous performance standards by 2001. Accountability is embedded in good instruction, curriculum alignment, instructional materials, staff development, and core beliefs and trust. (MLH)

Philadelphia schools were the first to engage all 200,000 K-12 students in meaningful service-learning activities aligned with district academic standards and learning goals. This has meant providing professional development for 6,000 teachers, forging partnerships with 2,500 community experts and agencies, and developing an efficient evaluation…

Describes five effective programs that address the socialization needs of students: (1) a Vice Principal's Action Committee; (2) an administrative dispute mediation program; (3) an interpersonal skills offering for sixth graders; (4) a conflict resolution guidance component to the discipline office; and (5) a school-wide peer counseling assistance…