A study surveyed 44 skills centers in The Gambia through a questionnaire, evaluated them regarding vocational training, and conducted on-site research of 17 targeted centers. Findings were as follows: most operated as private organizations; the retention rate was an average of 84%; centers operated with an average student/staff ratio of about 12:1…

This guide is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of distance learning and to advise them on the issues that are key to their success as distance learners. Its four sections represent the stages that students pass through as they access distance learning opportunities. Chapter 1 introduces distance learning and discusses new…

This digest focuses on teaching Spanish to native or Hispanic heritage language students in the United States. Heritage language students are students who speak another language (in this case Spanish) as their first language either because they were born in another country or because their families speak another language at home. The entrance of…

Reasons for which children of Bhutan learn English better than their native language, Dzongkha, are explored, including the overall language situation in Bhutan and its economic and cultural influences. Recommendations are made for increasing the learning and use of Dzongkha while retaining English in the school curriculum. The spread of English…

This document consists of 47 consecutive issues of the "Parent and Preschooler Newsletter." This newsletter is variously subtitled "A Monthly Exploration of Early Childhood Topics" and "An International Resource for Professionals and Parents." Regularly appearing features are: "Library…

This study is the fifth assessment in an 18-year longitudinal study begun in 1986 to follow a group of Montessori students who attended the Franciscan Montessori Earth School in Portland, Oregon. Participating were 45 students with an average age of 18 years, about half of whom were in high school and half in college. Students completed an online…

This action research project implemented and evaluated a plan to deal with students who lack enthusiasm about school and have difficulty in following classroom rules, keeping on task, and using appropriate social skills. The targeted population consisted of high school students in five industrial technology classes in a rural western Illinois…

These four papers are from a symposium on integrating learning and performance. "Identifying the Skill Requirements and Performance Needs of Small Manufacturers" (Julie A. Furst-Bowe) reports a survey to identify needs of small manufacturers in northwestern Wisconsin and to determine whether a university-based performance improvement…

This document is designed to help facilitators with the formation and development of effective teams of people who have no previous history as a team and no training in group processes. Part 1 provides a narrative explanation of the stages of group development (investing in membership, forming attachments to subgroups, confronting/debating issues,…

Education and training in Australia represent a significant sector of the economy, comprising some 7 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. Public policy is fashioned to support three main sectors: schools, vocational education and training, and higher education. The mix of Commonwealth policy across these sectors is determined by distribution of…

This teacher's guide has been developed for use with the Peaceful Solutions video series. It provides information for educators who want to learn more about how to prevent or reduce youth violence. Through video, print, and on-line components, Peaceful Solutions is intended to increase awareness about educational practices that help promote peace.…

This guide to student financial aid for women explains different types of federal grant and loan programs, describes specific independent scholarships, and directs students on how to apply for such aid. An introduction points out that Americans tend to overestimate the price of college and also notes the average salary benefits of attending…

This paper examines the importance of the electronic community and its conversation for educators. Highlights include: (1) connections in electronic communities, including listservs, World Wide Web-based discussion groups, and the "conversational web"; (2) cyber-collaborative learning, including virtual classrooms, developing student…

High school students' lack of personal responsibility and academic ownership, negative or indifferent attitude, and lack of initiative and general motivation are often of concern to teachers and parents. This action research project evaluated an intervention to increase high school students' motivation, responsibility, and initiative. Students…

Literacy is embedded in social practice and has social meanings. Research and practice in adult literacy are demonstrating that, in order to bring about cultural and social transformation, literacy must be seen as an activity embedded in social and cultural practice. The traditional paradigm, which considers literacy as input for development and…