Experts widely consider decoding and fluency as the basis of reading comprehension, while at the same time consistently documenting problems in these areas as major characteristics of students with learning disabilities. However, scholars have developed most of the relevant research within phonologically deep languages, wherein decoding problems…

The growing numbers of English language learners (ELLs) in U.S. K-12 public schools have raised many questions about how to best educate these students. Much of the research on teaching ELLs has discussed the kinds of practices that should be used to increase ELLs' school achievement, but few studies have documented the actual practices that…

This article introduces The RULER Approach ("RULER") to social and emotional learning, with a particular focus on its Feeling Words Curriculum. Through this curriculum, RULER contributes to the ultimate goals of an English language arts education--preparing students to achieve personal, social, and academic goals and to be engaged and contributing…

Peer-mediated approaches have been used for years to improve the academic behaviors of students, especially those with disabilities. The most systematized and well researched of the peer-mediated approaches relates to peer tutoring systems, which include specific elements of training, implementation, and evaluation. The purpose of this article is…

Argues that by improving students' access to information books, teachers can do a better job of helping struggling readers become skillful, motivated readers. Documents the overwhelming use of stories in what students are expected to read and write, discusses the importance of balancing reading instruction with information text, and provides…

Considers how the movement toward inclusive classrooms has enhanced significantly disabled students' opportunities for increased social interaction with their peers and it coincidentally has brought with it learning and achievement challenges for students as well as for their teachers and parents. Finds that the concept of treatment acceptability…

Focuses on the role of self-efficacy in classroom engagement and learning. Defines terms and describes a general framework for conceptualizing efficacy, engagement, and learning. Discusses how self-efficacy is related to different aspects of engagement and learning. Concludes with suggestions for classroom practice. (SG)

Addresses the concept of "Standardized Tests as Quality Control." Discusses the types of assessment used in today's schools and the need for a new perspective concerning assessment. Outlines a different perspective for assessment, one based on reflective inquiry rather than measurement. Explains the characteristics that have helped support this…

Compares technology predictions from around 1989 with the technology of 2002. Discusses the place of computer-based assessment today, computer-scored testing, computer-administered formal assessment, Internet-based formal assessment, computerized adaptive tests, placement tests, informal assessment, electronic portfolios, information management,…

Notes many students with disabilities benefit from prompts for reading in general education classrooms. Considers how visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile prompts implemented by the teacher, by the student with minimal teacher assistance, or by the student independently can facilitate more effective reading. Describes strategies for using…

Encourages educators to carefully examine the textbook adoption process, especially the way in which adoption committees evaluate and select instructional materials. Reviews the available research literature on the textbook adoption process and includes recommendations for improving the process. Discusses guidelines for designing evaluation…

Discusses efforts leading to changes in homework policies and practices, problems experienced by students with disabilities, and how schools have addressed these issues. Focuses on home-school communication patterns as a key variable in improving the homework performance of students with disabilities. Reviews several studies that establish the…

Presents representative studies of other researchers as well as the author's own to reveal the possibilities and problems that girls and women face as they use computers in their education. Discusses gender and technology in elementary schools, with middle-school populations, and in school-college collaborations. Reflects on gender and technology…

Demonstrates how social constructivism has affected conceptual change research, and draws implications for reading and writing instruction from conceptual change research using social constructivism as a theoretical framework. Discuss why conceptual change researchers turned to social constructivism as a theoretical framework for their research.…

Notes that many teachers today are envisioning novel ways of integrating the Internet into their daily lessons. Examines how these teachers, experienced with the Internet, integrate the technology into their daily lessons. Suggests their stories, including their successes and failures, can inform teacher education and staff development in powerful…