Does High Teacher Pay = High Achievement? A Study Says No!
A new, in-depth report takes a look at how states spend education money and finds that the most cost-effective ways of increasing student achievement are by reducing pupil-teacher ratios, providing more prekindergarten programs, and providing teachers with discretionary classroom resources --- not by raising teacher pay.

Kids at Risk --- Can Educators Help?
A new government report indicates that kids in the United States are generally OK. Many indicators show an improvement in their overall well-being. Not all the news is good, however. Today, Education World highlights some findings from a collaborative effort by 20 federal agencies. Included: What do the report's findings say to educators?

Why Are Chicago-Area Students Tops in the World in Math and Science? A group of Chicago school superintendents set out to make their students first in the world in science and math. Five years and $1 million later, the educators have established a solid research base to help them make decisions for improving math and science curriculum and instruction.

HEADLINE: Strong Libraries Improve Student Achievement
Last month, site-based management teams at 11 elementary schools in Kalamazoo, Michigan, chose to cut their budgets for the 2000-2001 school year by eliminating the position of school librarian. Did they make the right decision? A new study indicates that what they made was a big mistake! Included: Results of a recent study show that students at schools with strong media centers scored significantly higher on standardized tests than students at schools with less-well-equipped and staffed libraries.

New Standards Should Help Children in Noisy Classrooms
For more than two decades, research has established a link between noise and poor academic progress. New standards for classroom acoustics will be the first step in the effort to change all that. Taking control of noise in the classroom and in other places in the community is part of International Noise Awareness Day --- April 12, 2000.

The Brain and Behavior -- Programmed for Violence?
In the aftermath of the latest school violence in Colorado, the entire country is once again asking "Why?" Many researchers and educators now believe that some of those answers -- and perhaps some solutions -- might be found in brain research.

Growing Bigger Brains: Research Affects How Teachers Teach
To enhance public awareness of the benefits to be derived from brain research, Congress designated the 1990s as the Decade of the Brain. Now, as that decade draws to a close, Education World takes a look at the results of some of the most recent brain research and explores the implications for you and your students.

Emphasizing Sportsmanship in Youth Sports
Coaches, teachers, and parents serve as role models for sportsmanlike behaviors in children. This story from the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports examines the latest research on the topic of developing sportsmanship.

Making the Case for Music Education
What will it be -- music or computers? In some communities, it all comes down to that question. New research, special programs, and dedicated teachers and community members are helping to make a solid case for putting music "Bach" into our schools!

Have You Heard? Noise Can Effect Learning!
A handful of research studies confirm that noise has a negative effect on a child's ability to learn. Also, "noise education" should be part of the school curriculum; kids should know how to protect their ears from harm.

Making the Case for the Fourth `R: Art!
Reading and riting and rithmetic and rt (art)? Many school districts are strengthening the art components of their curricula in light of new research on the benefits of arts education.

Class Size Reduction: Success Stories Noted in New Report
Looking to make a case for reduced class size? Last month, the U.S. Department of Education released a report, "Local Success Stories: Reducing Class Size." The 9-page report describes challenges and opportunities in efforts to reduce class size. Included: The latest research on class size reduction.

Technology in the Schools: It *Does* Make a Difference!
This year, the Clinton administration earmarked an additional $25 million over last year's budget to help schools integrate technology into the curriculum and for technology training for teachers. Will spending all that money really help kids learn? This week, Education World examines both sides of the *Is technology worth it?* debate. This story focuses on some of the research that makes a strong case in favor of technology in the schools. Included: Resources to help make the case for technology.

Technology in Schools: Some Say It Doesn't Compute!
Technology changes faster than educational researchers can study it. Although many researchers insist computers are valuable in schools, they readily admit they can't yet say whether technology actually helps kids achieve educational goals. Have schools jumped onto the technology bandwagon too soon? In this story, Education World focuses on some of the research that makes a strong case against the way technology is currently used in schools.

In the Loop: Students and Teachers Progressing Together
Looping ---when a teacher moves with his or her students to the next grade level rather than sending them to another teacher at the end of the school year--- was initially advocated by early 20th-century Austrian educator Rudolf Steiner and since has been used successfully for years in Europe. Despite the successful experiences of European school systems, looping is still uncommon enough in the United States to be considered innovative. Included: Looping research and comments from kids ---pro and con--- about looping.

Are Smaller Schools the Answer?
Michael Klonsky, of the University of Illinois (Chicago) College of Education says, "A compelling body of research shows that when students are part of smaller and more intimate learning communities, they are more successful." This week, Education World takes a look at some of that research.

AACTE Education Policy Clearinghouse
The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education provides the funding for this clearinghouse of educational policy at the national, regional, and state levels.

The Knowledge Loom
The Knowledge Loom is a resource on best practices in teaching and learning. It is being developed by the Northeast & Islands Regional Educational Laboratory at Brown University for the U.S. Department of Education.

The CyberLibrarian's Reststop
The CyberLibrarian's Reststop contains useful information on searching, developing virtual collections, and staying Web savvy.

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Education. The NECS gathers and analyzes data on the state of education in America and disseminates its findings through annual publications, both on the Internet and in hard copy.

North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL)
NCREL's mission is to "strengthen and support schools and communities in systemic change so that all students achieve standards of educational excellence,"..."to help teachers teach better, students learn better, administrators provide better leadership, and policy makers make better policy."

Library in the Sky (Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory)
The Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory is one of ten national educational research and development organizations supported by the U.S. Department of Education to improve education.

• Education Research

• Dept. of Education

• Magazines & Journals

The K-12 Practioner's Circle The issues and research section of the Federal Dept. of Ed.--includes lots of stats.

Music Is.....
Check out the "Music and the Brain" page for some great links on brain research. This is also a great general music education resource!

Current Index to Journals in Education
This database of nearly a thousand Education Journals is affiliated with ERIC.

Topics from A to Z From the US Department of Education
A great guide to the entire Federal Dept of Ed site.

Access ERIC
A guide to using and finding information at the US the Educational Resources Information Center.

Regional Educational Laboratories Network
A guide to all of the US Regional Educational Laboratories. An excellent set of education research resources!

Education Research and Practice -- Reports and Studies
Comprehensive, timely analyses of major educational topics such as systemic reform, the relationship between time and learning, and research-informed transformation of instruction.

Harvard Educational Review
A leader in educational scholarship for over 60 years.

Newsletters and Journals from ED
A variety of education publication offered by various branches of the Federal Dept. of Ed.

The Grandfather Education Report
This is a somewhat radical view on the state of education in the US and the need for school reform.

Statistics on Teaching in America
From the National Commission on Teaching & America's Future.