The 2002 restructuring of the national curriculum in all Japanese public elementary and secondary schools includes a reduction and reallocation of instructional hours, and the addition of a new "integrated studies" course, with an emphasis on more individualized, cross-curricular thematic projects. This reform comes at a time when a…

This case study examined the effects of a parent-presented Direct Instruction decoding program on the reading and language skills of a child with high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder. Following the 23 hour intervention, reading comprehension, listening comprehension and fluency skills improved to grade level, whilst statistically significant…

Struggling adolescent readers need interventions that provide them with opportunities to read more and to read better. The authors examine two case studies of interventions at work and propose criteria on which to evaluate intervention programs. Their review of the evidence on these programs for struggling adolescent readers suggests that at least…

One Texas elementary school's teachers uncovered a straightforward method to raise achievement for every child who wasn't succeeding.

This volume is the first in a series (developed in response to a needs assessment survey of special educators in Alberta, Canada) providing practical suggestions about instructional strategies, classroom management, preparing individual program plans, and understanding special needs. Book 1 highlights strategies for differentiating instruction…

Compulsory schooling commences for children in New Zealand when they are 6 years old, but all primary schools accept children from the day of their fifth birthday. On any school day, a new pupil may enter the class for new entrants and become part of the school system. This article explores the creation of an appropriate environment for these new…

This paper examines differences between approaches to instruction in Japanese and American classrooms and the need for individualized English instruction in Japan. Traditional classroom techniques in Japan have emphasized treating all students the same, whereas American techniques, especially since the 1970s, have placed a growing emphasis on…

This book provides a total "how-to" approach for the use of technology, including information on the types of systems, hardware, and software available. It offers guidelines for determining how to match specific systems and needs, as well as strategies for implementing technology and Total Quality Education (TQE) to improve teaching. It…

A model of foreign language instruction for professionals, particularly those with limited time and budget, is proposed. Principal components of the model include: (1) a detailed, diagnostic linguistic profile of the learner, including lexical, grammatical, sociolinguistic, and sociocultural characteristics; (2) an inventory of the learner's…

A process evaluation was conducted to determine the status of the School District of the City of Saginaw's Adult Basic Education (ABE) program operations during 1991-92. The instrument focused on nine aspects of an ABE classroom: start of class; time spent in instruction (for three subject areas and total); modes of instruction; extent of…

This project developed and tested a computer-based instructional program designed to increase the number of positive, academic student/teacher interactions exhibited in mainstreamed regular classrooms by mildly handicapped elementary students. The program, called Teacher Net, integrated a microcomputer-controlled videodisc system, a system of…

This paper describes the characteristics of "smart schools" and offers guidelines for developing such schools. Smart schools are defined as having three features: (1) they are computer networked via local area networks in order to share information through teleconferencing, databases, and electronic mail; (2) they are connected beyond…

This publication is a detailed guide for both adult basic education program managers and practitioners to the concept of adult literacy provision within an open learning model. It has three major sections. Section 1 investigates the aims and directions common to both open learning and adult basic education. It provides reviews of programs that…

Educational technology is a significant resource for meaningful, active, sensory, and relevant instruction for limited-English-proficient (LEP) students in the elementary grades, particularly those students who are educationally disadvantaged. It is suitable for bridging the instructional gap in bilingual education so these children can have the…

This document is a guide for small school districts that are interested in using a nongraded arrangement at the elementary school level. Nongrading recognizes that children learn at different rates and in different ways and allows them to progress as individuals rather than classes. A 4-year phase-in approach eases implementation of the nongraded…