To investigate the extent to which street gangs in Los Angeles (California) are comprised of youth or adults, self-report data from 435 gang members are examined. Findings do not generally support the idea of the aging gang member. Gangs consist primarily of adolescents, regardless of racial and socioeconomic differences. (SLD)

Discusses the history of Asian universities, their position today, and what the transitions represent for the future. Describes the major debate in the past as concerning the preservation of traditional cultural values while becoming modern institutions. Argues that Asian universities need to recognize the great relevance of traditions to social…

An approach to organizational effectiveness in higher education developed in the United States was applied to institutions in the United Kingdom and Australia to establish a basis for policy and organizational analysis. Higher reliability was found for the United Kingdom than for Australia, apparently related to cultural differences regarding…

The macro-dimension of code switching is examined as observed in a sociolect of Swahili used by academic staff from the University of Dar es Salaam. It is argued that the specific sociohistoric background of Tanzanian society accounts for the social valency of Campus Kiswahili. (Author/LB)

Intelligence quotient (IQ) test performance is reported for 93 families restudied 10 years after the Minnesota Transracial Adoption Study in 1975. Results for 426 subjects support the original finding: being reared in the IQ test culture and prevailing school culture benefits all children's IQ scores and academic achievement. (SLD)

Examines some effects of culturally based knowledge on memory for stories about people performing common activities. Results with monocultural U.S. college students (n=176) and Mexican citizens (n=57) suggest that any theory of the effects of script-based knowledge on memory must consider the cultural origin of the knowledge. (SLD)

Prior to the 1980s, Chinese students were educated to submit themselves to national needs based on a rigid manpower plan. Recently, the gradual emergence of a market economy has led to the development of vocational high schools, the possibility of individual choice in careers, and the fading out of job allocation. (KS)

Examines the sociocultural-linguistic processes involved in writing stories in English and French for 2 bilingual children, aged 10 and 11, in Quebec. Points out differences between the children in their views of play, schooling, and story creation. Proposes a unity of process across both languages that is mirrored in the writing of first- and…

This article examines five emphases associated with humanism in language teaching, namely feelings, social relations, responsibility, intellect, and self-actualization, and some of the difficulties of using these emphases in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in Japan. A sixth emphases, religious humanism, may be added to address some of…

Structural problems and political issues that must be overcome for the Texas A&M University Japanese branch campus to be successful are explored. It is concluded that the university must have clear priorities and attainable goals and garner the support and expertise of regional and national authorities in Japan. (MSE)

Discusses the reconceptualist movement in curriculum studies, which advocates researchers' use of critical, interpretive, feminist, or phenomenological frameworks to share their work with the early childhood community. This movement is the focus of this special issue of the journal. Discusses efforts of the past 20 years to reconceptualize ways to…

Demonstrates ways that a classroom teacher can get a distorted picture of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students and their resources and how viewing literacy in a social context illustrates the way relationships are negotiated. Suggestions are made for teachers to create ESL classrooms where the role of literacy in students' lives can be…

Suggests that feature films produced in developing nations can serve as an aid to geographic instruction because they visually represent conditions of daily life. Uses two films, "Salaam Bombay" and "Sugar Cane Alley," to illustrate geographic understanding. Appendices include information on film distributors, background…

Examines the role of the hero in U.S. culture and how the social studies have treated heroes. Urges teachers to explore the ethical dimensions of superheroes. Indicates how Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr., for example, need to be understood in their own cultural context and in the fullness of their humanity. (CH)

Special issue includes 20 articles in 3 categories: personal and individual perceptions of aging, varieties of images and perceptions (social, historical, cross-cultural), and institutional responses over time (ageism, federal responses, literature, mass media). (SK)