Explores issues on instruction and evaluation of students who are nonnative speakers (NNSs) of English in institutions employing Writing across the Curriculum programs. The authors examine faculty expectations of NNS writing and NNS performance on Writing Proficiency Exams and conclude that these students are held to a double standard. (15…

Recent history of policy development for adult literacy and basic education (ALBE) in Australia is in need of scrutiny. Two lines of analysis are useful for framing developments in language policy in Australia: the first examines the ways in which professional cultures operate to influence policy and the second looks at orientations in policy.…

This article argues that American colleges and universities must better prepare their students to meet the challenges of the global economy. Institutions need to place greater emphasis on foreign language skills, cultural awareness, student exchange programs, functional skills, and job placement. (MDM)

Examines California's English-Language Arts Framework, a literacy policy for schoolchildren, focusing on its effects on deaf students and suggesting that it has problems. The article highlights the mismatch between stated policy and its implementation at the teacher training level, discussing literacy policy at the preservice level. (SM)

Asserts that two forgotten facts in educational reform are that the student is the primary client of all assessment and that testing should be designed to improve performance, not just monitor it. Includes sample portfolio performance tasks on a variety of social studies topics. (CFR)

Examines problems that can occur when research is conducted in culturally diverse communities. The commentary comes from experiences conducting research in a particular African American community. The paper argues that understanding the nuances of appropriate cultural interaction, public discourse, and private meaning are all vital components in…

Presents an inquiry-based approach to promoting critical thinking in psychology. Maintains that the model emphasizes helping students ask thoughtful questions. Discusses research results supporting the use of questioning techniques to enhance critical thinking. (CFR)

Asserts that conference teaching techniques foster critical thinking skills. Describes conference-style learning and discusses its use in the college psychology classroom. Concludes that the approach helps avoid the sense of struggle and alienation that can arise between teachers and students in the traditional classroom. (CFR)

Describes three perspectives from which middle school teachers can plan laboratory activities for the purpose of improving students' scientific literacy. Perspectives are the learning cycle approach categorizing activities by stages of development; problem-solving skills approach categorizing activities according to the amount of teacher control;…

Discusses future changes in instruction, particularly in grades five through nine. Highlights include technology-induced changes; changes in the authority structure, including teachers as managers of information; multidimensional learning environments; rate of learning, including time on task; curriculum knowledge of teachers; thinking skills and…

Shared cultural backgrounds and norms about how to use language can influence classroom interactions for minorities, including African Americans. Research finds serious problems when teachers' interactional styles differ from that of students' home communities. The differences can prevent full student participation and limit academic progress.…

Interviews 40 British parents and their children's nursery school teachers, concerning parental involvement in children's preschool reading and writing. Reveals parents frequently assist and direct their children in language arts activities but do not feel confident and teachers expressed doubts about parental interest. Shows need for greater…

Minority participation in the workforce, and by extension in vocational education, is increasingly important to the economic welfare of the United States. Describes a conference focusing on minority issues and concerns in vocational education related to programs, students, staff, and research. Recommends development of role models, funding, and…

Describes two projects that incorporated library media skills into the English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) curriculum, one that created a video documentary using "The Video Encyclopedia of the Twentieth Century," and one that created booklets of folktales using AppleWorks software. Cross-cultural sharing is discussed and additional…

Describes resources useful to library media specialists in planning future programs. Areas addressed include library and information skills instruction; collection management; global trends; educational trends; changes in an information society; technology background and maintenance; hypermedia; educational television, including cable; and books…