Case studies of two students with pervasive developmental delays illustrate the conflict between belief-based versus measurement-based approaches to planning educational services for students with diverse abilities. The doctrinaire view embraces inclusion as an end in itself. Placing students with diverse abilities, even severely handicapping…

To overcome public skepticism, government agencies and policymakers are increasingly appropriating the term "research-based" to describe their work. This paper examines how educational leaders should respond to the politicization of their field, implicit in such characterizations, by examining how the field might look if the words…

This paper is the result of an intensive case study by an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) review team, whose purpose was to investigate early childhood education and care (ECEC) in the United States, 1 of 12 countries participating in the OECD review between 1998 and 2000. The paper draws on information provided by a…

A qualitative longitudinal study, intended to encourage graduate programs to reflect on how their programs are making a difference in their students' adult teaching practice, explored how practicing adult educators' beliefs about teaching were impacted by participating in a graduate program in adult education. Sixteen practicing adult educators…

To examine the influence of Western perspectives on indigenous language teaching, a two-dimensional framework of approaches to language teaching is presented. A horizontal continuum concerning the nature of language ranges between form and function, and a vertical continuum concerning the nature of language learning ranges between construction and…

This publication provides guidance to state and local administrators responsible for planning and implementing comprehensive school-to-work systems for all students, including youth with disabilities, under five key federal laws: (1) School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994; (2) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as amended in…

Reforms that strive for educational excellence will fail unless they are meaningfully linked to schools' unique cultures. Chapter 1, "Introduction: The Case for School Culture," discusses the impact of culture on achievement, reform, and learning. Chapter 2, "Schools as Tribes," examines a school that transformed itself through…

Discusses changes on the European university scene since 1968, when students protested against university administration and capitalism, and describes some plans, programs, and problems in improving higher education. Problems are mainly due to general economic conditions, aggravated by the students' own insistence on higher enrollments and lower…

Reviews the United Nations' recommendations for international peace education to cover the problems of war and peace, human rights and development, and cultural and environmental issues, all of which are involved in peace research. Relates peace research to peace education and provides a "teaching packages" plan for peace education. (MF)

Discusses five curriculum orientations for computer art curricula: (1) cognitive process approach; (2) curriculum as technology; (3) curriculum as self-actualization; (4) curriculum as social reconstruction or relevance; and (5) the academic rationalism approach. Briefly critiques and defines other curricular approaches and concludes with a series…

Criticizes the current notion of defining students as "consumers" of education. Argues that this metaphor encourages a passive sense of entitlement in place of the hard work, discipline, and engagement that is necessary for learning to occur. Maintains that student are "producers" of their own knowledge. (MJP)

Explores the opportunities and problems inherent in the working relationship between sociologists and educators. Examines the ways that educational sociologists can participate in linking research, policy, and practice. Posits three requirements for productive collaboration between educators and sociologists: multilingualism, mutual programs, and…

Considers the controversies surrounding the traditional approach to teaching American History (focusing on a series of shared experiences and institutions) and the subsequent criticism that it excludes "other" experiences. Warns against the simplistic presentation of a single celebratory past while concluding that Americans share common…

Provides an in-depth look at the National Standards for Art Education and attempts to correct some of the misconceptions associated with them. Articulates a number of the objections and concerns regarding the standards. Answers each objection with a thoughtful response. (MJP)

Suggests that modern schooling was founded on elitist principles and has resulted in making people dumber, weakening families, replacing religion, lowering incomes, reproducing the class structure by dividing children into classes that correlate closely with family income, and concentrating wealth and power in the hands of a small fraction of the…