Educational Research Newsletter

Since 1988, Educational Research Newsletter has informed educators about the latest in education research in easy-to-read articles. Each month, ERN reports on some of the most relevant and useful research from leading journals and organizations.

What's New Florida to assess reading in grades 3-12 The assessment system is based on decades of research. ELLs take 5-6 years to reach level playing field Researchers tracked Hispanic and Chinese students in San Francisco Unified School District. In pool of potential dropouts there are "persistent strugglers" Students persisted even after failing state exam for graduation.

SES less important than relationships for parental involvement Invitations from children and teachers more important. Six elements of self-motivated learning Six questions to ask about instruction. Role of schools in low ELL achievement Achievement gap narrower in schools with more white students.

JULY 2008

Current Issue How educators talk to each other can influence outcome of reforms Fast kids, slow kids and lazy kids. Educators would never use such labels within earshot of students because they know the power of language to influence how students feel about themselves and about their ability and desire to learn. . . . keep reading Maryland study finds biggest challenge of PBIS is accentuating the positive Positive reinforcement is not as easy as it looks, according to a recent study of Maryland elementary schools that implemented Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) . . . keep reading Special ed teachers cite effective behavior management strategies Sending a student to the principal's office for bad behavior, giving detention, having a class meeting to discuss problem behaviors or rewarding students with a point system for good behavior are . . . keep reading Integrating math and social studies: 'Ten Black Dots' and September 11 To find the time to teach social studies and science to elementary school students, educators have had to become highly resourceful at integrating these subjects with reading instruction. But, teachers have found it much more . . . keep reading Grade 1-5 summer reading program fails to boost fall reading achievement scores File this one under research that doesn't always back up what seems to be common sense. A new study in the Journal of Educational Psychology finds that students who read more books over the summ . . . keep reading SEE MORE >>

Recent Articles Key issues in RTI implementation Many educators are still asking the question, what is RTI, and working to develop a strategy for RTI implementation. . . . keep reading Four steps for applying Universal Design for Learning to a curriculum When you cross the street with a bike, or enter a building with a baby stroller or wheeled baggage, you are benefiting from universal design features such as curb cuts and ramps that were intended for people in wheelchairs, but that make the environment . . . keep reading Small classes benefit high achievers more than others, K-3 study shows Higher-achieving students benefit more from small classes in the early grades than other students, according to a study in a recent issue of The Elementary School Journal. Researcher Spyros Konsta . . . keep reading Social learning plays growing role in second language acquisition theory To understand the latest thinking in second language acquisition (SLA) theory don't think of the student who is diligently studying French grammar and verb conjugation in the hope of someday trave . . . keep reading How to use positive behavior supports with unresponsive students Schools would rather not play the bad cop. Increasingly, they want to give students positive behavior supports (PBS) to prompt and reinforce desired behaviors instead of punishing undesirable beha . . . keep reading Study questions whether boys see male teachers as role models A new English study questions the notion that male teachers are important role models for boys. When 400 boys and girls in the UK, ages 10, 11, 14 and 16, were asked to identify their role models, only 2.4% named a teacher; most children identified relatives and friends . . . keep reading Eight lessons from No Child Left Behind and eight recommendations for change Five years after Congress passed No Child Left Behind (NCLB), two researchers say there are eight lessons to be learned about why the law's remedies don't work. They make eight recommendations for how . . . keep reading SEE MORE >>