A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

New Publications from the National Institute
on the Education of At-Risk Students

The Institute periodically releases publications conveying research findings related to the education of at-risk students. Commissioned papers, such as Class Size and Students At Risk (described below), are prepared by recognized researchers outside of the federal government to summarize research on topics of special interest and advise the Institute on implications for policy and research. Institute staff also prepare publications translating research findings into useful information for policymakers, administrators, and practitioners.

Class Size and Students At Risk
What is Known? What is Next?

Dr. Jeremy D. Finn of the State University of New York at Buffalo prepared this commissioned paper for the Institute. It provides an overview of recent research on the effects of class size on the academic performance and behavior of students at risk, with emphasis on one recent large-scale investigation, Tennessee's Project STAR (Student-Teacher Achievement Ratio). The first chapter reviews the status of research on class size; the second discusses approaches that have been taken to assess the costs and benefits of reducing class size; and the third chapter explores the implications of small class size for classroom management and instructional strategies. The last chapter presents the author's suggested priorities for further work in this area. The report may be printed or downloaded from the U.S. Department of Education's World Wide Web site. In addition, single copies are available from ED Pubs and multiple copies may be obtained from the U.S. Government Printing Office at $4 a copy (stock number 065-000-01136-1).

Tools for Schools:
School Reform Models Supported by the National Institute on the
Education of At-Risk Students

This publication provides information for improving the performance of schools with significant at-risk student populations. It contains information about 27 school reform models that have received support for development, expansion, adaptation, or evaluation through the Institute's research program.* Each model description outlines what is required for a school to implement the model and identifies contact persons and other sources that may be consulted for additional information.

The document is available from the U.S. Department of Education's World Wide Web site. You may obtain a single copy by calling ED Pubs or multiple copies by calling the National Institute on the Education of At-Risk Students at 202-219-2239. The publication currently is not available from the U.S. Government Printing Office.

*It is not the Institute's intent to endorse or promote the models described in this publication, but merely to provide information. There are other promising school reform models not included, for the reason that they at no time received funding from this Institute.

Family Involvement in Children's Education:
Successful Local Approaches

This Idea Book describes successful strategies used by 20 local Title I programs to overcome barriers to parent involvement. It suggests ways that schools, families, and communities can work together to build strong partnerships. The strategies include overcoming time and resource constraints, providing information and training to parents and school staff, restructuring schools to support family involvement, bridging school-family differences, and tapping external supports for partnerships. The book concludes that if families are to work with schools as partners, schools must provide them the opportunities and support they need to become involved. The payoffs to children and their educational success can be well worth the hard work required to forge and sustain partnerships. You may obtain a single copy of the report by calling ED Pubs. Copies also are available from the U.S. Government Printing Office at $13 a copy (stock number 065-000-01085-2), or from the Department's World Wide Web site.

These publications, and others, may be printed or downloaded from the Department's World Wide Web site (http://www.ed.gov/pubs/). Single copies of recently released publications are usually available for no cost from ED Pubs, the U.S. Department of Education's one-stop shop for its informational products. You may order from ED Pubs either by telephoning 877-433-7827 or by ordering online through the Internet (www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html).

Most publications also may be purchased from the U.S. Government Printing Office by calling 202-512-1800, or by writing the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. Mail orders should include credit card information or a check payable to the Superintendent of Documents.

[Research Program of the National Institute on the Education of At-Risk Students ]

[Resources of the Office of Educational Research and Improvement]