In this article, David Forrest probes Ahmad Sarmast (Founder and Director of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, Ministry of Education, Afghanistan) about the development of the Institute, its sponsorship, the range of local musicians and music educators that work there, and the student population.

The 2011 U.S. Government Evidence Summit on Protecting Children Outside of Family Care brought together leading researchers and technical experts to assess the available evidence to inform policies, strategies, and programs relevant to protecting children outside of family care in lower and middle income countries. While child vulnerabilities are…

Just as in 1982, when the myth of waiting for Santa Claus was first addressed in "Gifted Child Quarterly," many districts all over the country are still waiting for Santa Claus to arrive with a sleigh full of presents. Unfortunately, Santa and his presents in the form of mandates to identify and serve, funding, teachers licensed in…

In today's world of restrictive school budgets and increasing property taxes, it is an unfortunate reality that many school districts will be faced with a budget crunch crisis that unenlightened school boards may try to solve by cutting or eliminating funds for music. At the crisis stage, it is often only the effective advocacy of an organized…

Human and material resources external and internal to adult education programs must be cultivated for program development. Methods include developing support of decision makers, being entrepreneurial, and demonstrating accountability. Issues include the need for flexible, responsive staff and structure, clearly defined policy, and flexible service…

Describes how the Diocese of Dallas overcame the logistical problems serving as obstacles to the widespread use of the Catholic Television Network in instruction at St. Pius X Elementary School. Looks at equipment needs, fund raising, staff development, technical considerations, and benefits. (DMM)

Currently the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is reaffirming its commitment in supporting projects dealing with foreign language and linguistics. Advice is given on how to better acquire NEH funding, and contact information to the Division of Education Programs of NEH is provided. (GLR)

Schoolyard wildlife habitats aren't just for beauty and fun--they are outdoor classrooms where real science learning takes place. Schoolyard habitat projects involve conservation and restoration of wildlife habitat; however, the learning doesn't have to stop there--outdoor classrooms can foster many kinds of active learning across the curriculum…

Six case studies are discussed, which illustrate the experimental and pragmatic epistemological paradigms as they function independently, compete with one another, or complement each other. Researchers should consider not only the substantive goals of an evaluation, but also the epistemological goals. (SLD)

This paper briefly defines parent involvement in education, outlines several factors that are fueling new state interest in programs to strengthen families, describes programmatic initiatives in several states, and examines some of the issues states have faced in their efforts to craft effective community-based programs that are responsive to…

The present financial crisis in the world's developing nations, as evidenced by the external debt situation in Latin America, is forcing governmental decision makers to make some very hard choices regarding the financing of education. In times of such hard choices, it is important that those responsible for funding education in developing nations…

The editor of Boston University's alumni magazine who orchestrated its redesign and extended its appeal to Boston's general public is interviewed about the strategies used and the response of both the university and the city community. (MSE)

High-quality leisure education programs for the elderly are few in number considering the size of the older population. Most existing programs are probably inappropriate for the elderly age group. Better perspectives and understanding on the part of leisure educators is needed. Leisure education programs for the elderly may become more plentiful…

An introduction lists the council members and observers present at the meeting, and a summary is provided of the following meeting business: (1) opening of the session by the director-general, Amadou-Mahtar M'Bow; (2) election of the bureau; (3) adoption of the agenda; (4) examination of the General Information Programme's current activities in…

The anchor of successful writing-across-the-curriculum programs is an organized nucleus of features called the four Ps: planning, proposing, preparing, and prototyping. Planning requires organization and connections among the mechanisms of designing and implementing both program activities and evaluation designs. It should begin at least two years…