Uses the example of Germany to examine how a center for vocational education and training is created, the effects on national policies, and the basis for determining center-periphery relationships. Concludes that, because vocational education is embedded in sociocultural contexts, transnational transfer of vocational education systems may be…

Describes a program for teaching business ethics to undergraduate business students at the Hong Kong Baptist University. Provides an anecdotal account to illustrate that in non-Western cultural contexts, figurative rather than scientific language often captures the essence of qualitative phenomena. Underscores the importance of understanding and…

Clarifies the term "Appalachia" by discussing the economic and geographic points of reference related to the term, along with the difference between rural and urban Appalachia, and considers the culture of Appalachia. Focuses on teaching about Appalachia with picture storybooks. Includes an annotated bibliography. (CMK)

Examines the way the German child welfare system responds to parental requests for help by comparing experiences of families in England and Germany. Describes the German context and provides a case study of one mother's experiences with the welfare system. Highlights key features of the German child care system that facilitate the process of…

Maintains that conflict in close relationships characterizes both the United States and Japan, with differences only in the style and timing of its manifestations. Asserts that the potentially fruitful strategy of Rothbaum et al. is constrained by their cross-cultural comparative methodology. (Author/KB)

Notes that commentators unanimously support Rothbaum et al.'s general orientation to culture and development and their developmental pathways. Views commentators' suggestions as relating to trade-offs: between theories that highlight generalization or exceptions; between methods that rely on one-, two-, or multiculture studies; and between values…

This article cautions against complacency in "subjective" assessment, arguing that even tests designed to reflect the development of learner-centered, interactive and communicative approaches to teaching English may have cultural bias built into their assessment criteria. The reply article singles out as an unresolved issue whether or…

Argues that awareness of the relationship between language and the sociocultural context in which it occurs is important for students and teachers. The article suggests that everyday, ephemeral texts can be easily collected and categorized according to genre for teaching and cross-cultural comparison. (19 references) (Author/CK)

Describes the historical context in which the North Central Association was created. Indicates that the 1890s were a time of rapid industrialization and economic, political, and social change. Suggests a parallel with contemporary society regarding educational issues such as the role of vocational education and the preparation of educators. (MAB)

Examines how the word "professionalization" is used within the social and political contexts in which teaching occurs, both historically and in current debates over educational reform. Argues that professionalization itself has no intrinsic meaning but is defined by the social, political, and economic relationships of a given society.…

Describes a fourth-grade program that uses the media of art and literature to understand a different culture, to develop an appreciation for the art of that culture, and to refine students' ability to read and write. Explains how the thematic unit on the Sioux was developed. Notes that the instructional sequence incorporated visuals, explanation,…

Globalization is revitalizing comparative and international educational research. While recognizing that context matters, this process should emphasize increased collaboration between the humanities and social science research traditions; the global and the local; mainstream and specialist research communities; differing units of analysis;…

Effects of project participation were evaluated at two Johannesburg sites of "Growing Up in Cities"--a project that involves children in documenting and improving urban environments. Survey responses of participating children and their parents revealed increased awareness of the environment and community needs, better communication…

Comparative education lacks engagement with central theoretical debates about culture, current in anthropology. Recentered discourse on culture would recognize cultural inquiry's value, particularly for destabilizing taken-for-granted categories and truths. At the same time, comparative education might benefit from deeper critical engagement with…

Examines the influence of family educational practices on the interaction and communication competencies of 4-year-old children. Shows that sociocultural contexts interact with family educational concepts and practices to influence the development of self-representations and the capacity for oral and written communication. Finds that specific…