Constructivist learning, based on students' application of knowledge to solve authentic problems, is a culture, not a fragmented collection of practices. Constructivism places high demands on teachers' subject-matter knowledge, pedagogical skills, and design of independent student projects. Major changes in curriculum, scheduling, and assessment…

The Science/Technology/Society approach to teaching science has been researched and practiced for over 20 years. This model uses current issues in students' lives and society as the foundation of study. Teaching STS science requires nothing more than a shifting emphasis and willingness to empower students. (MLH)

A writing instructor describes her experience teaching 15 San Quentin Prison inmates how to write fiction, revise their work, and submit it for publication. Inmates were polite, demanded advice on mechanics, and avoided writing about reasons for life sentences. Insights later emerged in stories. (MLH)

At several New York State high schools, seniors hold internships in architectural firms, Planned Parenthood, dentists' offices, and television and radio stations. Some make documentaries or pursue independent study in various subjects. These opportunities arise through a program (WISE) allowing second-semester seniors to design and complete their…

An elementary principal believes the universal "right" to a free public-school education has so hamstrung educators that they cannot effectively set or maintain standards. Two case studies involving disruptive students and irresponsible parents illustrate a vicious cycle that only educational vouchers (for full per-pupil amounts) might interrupt.…

During the 1960s, Dorothy Rich used paper cartons, tables, lamps, chairs, electric bills, and other paraphernalia of home life to construct "recipes" to help parents prepare their kids for achieving academic success. Rich's contemporary MegaSkills training program, developed at the Home and School Institute, is highly regarded. (MLH)

Because German public schools historically have had a much narrower mission than American schools, comparing the two educational systems is difficult. German schools also differ structurally and in the ways they group students and treat student and teacher responsibilities. Community and business responsibilities are greater. (MLH)

According to a Department of Education report, 92% of nonpublic schools would accept students from overcrowded urban public schools only if they were allowed to maintain their current admissions, curriculum, and religious instruction/activity policies. These are powerful arguments against school vouchers or use of nonpublic schools to alleviate…

K-12 educators desiring to write for publication are encouraged to become familiar with rules and guidelines governing journal selection, acceptance rates, refereed status, research format, themed issues, turnaround time, reference style, invited revisions, communication with editors, electronic submissions, and charges to authors. (MLH)

"Kappan" editors recommend Michael Ignatieff's biography of Isaiah Berlin and insightful novels by Barbara Kingsolver, Pat Conroy, Wally Lamb, Edwidge Danticat, and Doris Lessing. Neil Postman's "The End of Education" (1995) advocates exploiting diversity to define standards. Ernest House's "Schools for Sale" (1998) explains why free-market…

An ETS adult-literacy study, ignored by the media, showed that teachers' prose, document, and quantitative literacy was higher than that of most other professionals. Administrators scored lower than teachers in all three literacies. Meanwhile, a highly publicized Home School Legal Defense study glorified privileged students' predictable test…

Parents whose learning-disabled son committed suicide after being suspended (without notice) sued the school district for violating the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and their 14th Amendment due-process rights. They won summary judgment on the IDEA claim, but lost the school liability claim. The case will be retried. (MLH)

Tinkering with school schedules to accommodate adolescents' sleep patterns is politically risky. A University of Minnesota study analyzing stakeholders' attitudes toward later high school starting times showed that changing a school's schedule provokes as emotional a reaction as that of closing a school or changing its attendance area. Open…

A school transition project examined effects on sleep and circadian rhythms in a group of 25 youngsters shifting from an 8:25 a.m. junior high school starting time to a 7:20 a.m. high school starting time. The average amount of sleep on school nights fell substantially for 9th and 10th graders, and was below the amount required for normal…

Reviews current scientific and clinical information regarding consequences of insufficient sleep in adolescents, including sleepiness; tiredness; changes in mood, attention, and behavior; emotional and behavior problems' effects on sleep patterns; and bidirectional effects. Lifestyle forces are pushing teens' sleep/arousal balance in the wrong…