This commentary looks at the contributions and future research implications of the four articles in this Special Issue of "Thinking Skills and Creativity" to the fields of creativity and creativity education, both in culture-specific and culture-general terms. The articles included in this Special Issue draw attention to issues of…

In this commentary, the author discusses some of the issues she finds interesting from a Swedish perspective, and also makes some comparisons between the systems. The English and Swedish education and assessment systems have some fundamental differences, but also similarities. Some are becoming even more evident after learning about the…

The National curriculum assessment (NCA) in Wales has evolved from common foundations into a system that is now distinct from that in England. The influence of the political and social milieu of Wales can be seen both in the distinctive features that have been in place from the outset and in the more radical changes introduced since 2002. In this…

Responds to three articles that appeared in the same journal in 1984 which dealt with Great Britain's multi-ethnic society. Compares Great Britain's situation with the current school population of the United States and shows how a number of teacher training institutions are preparing teachers for the expanding multilingual and multi-ethnic body.…

Notes similarities and differences of the two national reports and summarizes the main points of the American report. (FL)

An examination of international adult education programs that have proved to be successful indicates that the key elements of success are nonmaterial in nature. Unity in spirit and action, equality of the sexes, elimination of prejudice, practice of the art of consultation, trustworthiness, and the preservation of human dignity and honor appear to…

The change from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to Chapter 1 of the Education Consolidation Act raises issues concerning reading programs covered by the act. The purpose of both laws is to meet the special needs of educationally deprived children. The laws are similar in that they (1) promote teacher and parent involvement; (2) contain…

Two organization development consultants describe and evaluate the two basic consulting methods, the process-consultation model and the doctor-patient model, and provide "readiness" criteria checklists for both the client and patient models. They state that each consulting approach has its place, depending on situational factors. (MF)

Examines a study conducted by Lam (1986) which compared sheltered and supported employment programs for persons with mental retardation. Discusses how study was designed and how some conclusions were drawn. Raises questions about outcome data interpretation and presents alternative means of comparing program models. (Author/NB)

Responds to comments made by Wehman, Hill, Kregel, and Moon (1987) concerning the results of Lam's 1986 study comparing supported and sheltered employment programs for persons with mental retardation. Addresses specific questions raised by Wehman and his colleagues and discusses research issues on sample comparability. (Author/NB)

A conceptual analysis of gain scores and a technically sound procedure for using such scores to compare different instructional programs are presented. The procedure proposed makes use of an index called Rescaled and Adjusted Gains within Strata (RAGS), together with a flexible but explicit procedure for score analysis and reporting. (LC)

The growing attraction between citizens and educators can form the basis of a fruitful school-community relationship. This new way of connecting, in which large numbers of people meet regularly to talk about school issues and find solutions, goes far beyond blue-ribbon commissions and school-business partnerships. To make the marriage last,…

More public institutions are now required to assess student learning outcomes. A look at Virginia and New Jersey shows these requirements vary, but mandated assessment may not produce needed improvements. Inadequate assessment methodologies, faculty resistance, and a lack of clarity about the use of results make this movement uncertain.…

Presents evidence that high-quality early childhood programs can partially offset negative effects of childhood poverty and produce modest but definite benefits in children's education and early adult socioeconomic experience. Contrasts different types of early childhood programs and favors those focusing on child-initiated learning. (RH)

An Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) program developer rebuts observations made by Dan B. Fleming and Thomas C. Hunt. Distinguishes areas of program philosophy from secular humanism; points out that achievement test scores are higher among ACE program students; and responds to criticisms of grade program units. (CJH)