Cooperative learning is a generic classroom technique that requires students to work and talk together about academic material while learning effective interpersonal skills. This packet, prepared in conjunction with the Minnesota School Effectiveness Program, describes the benefits of cooperative learning and defines its critical attributes, summarizes recent research in this area, and provides suggestions for implementation, selected readings and audiovisuals, and a short bibliography. Instrumentation is also provided for (1) classroom visitations to increase a teacher's skillful and deliberate use of cooperative learning strategies, and (2) school-level assessment of the use of cooperative learning groups. Also included are excerpts from a handbook entitled "Structuring Cooperative Learning Experiences in the Classroom" (Minneapolis: Cooperative Learning Network, 1982), providing samples of cooperative lessons that can be conducted at the primary, intermediate, junior high, and high school levels. Finally, three papers by David W. Johnson and Roger T. Johnson of the University of Minnesota are included: (1) "The Socialization and Achievement Crisis: Are Cooperative Learning Goal Interdependence"; and (3) "Cooperative, Competitive, and Individualistic Goal Interdependence"; and (3) "Cooperative, Competitive, and Individualistic Learning." (TE)