Considers the controversy over national education standards and evaluates their potential in the classroom. Specifically, looks at staff development and the goals of school administrators in the light of the recent National Standards in Civics and Government. Postulates that classrooms can become living laboratories for American democracy. (MJP)

Contains 27 specific suggestions for teachers with special needs children mainstreamed in their classroom, particularly children with visual and auditory perceptual difficulties and poor motor skills. Notes that teachers need to make sure that directions, visual and verbal cues, learning materials, and computers are appropriate for children with…

More important than issues of funding equity are questions of how poor school districts can improve student achievement using new resources. The article discusses how schools can increase achievement following funding equalization, examining the nature of funding inequity, making a difference with funding equity, and effective programs for…

A study identified seven recurring ethical issues arising in pediatrics clerkships at the State University of New York at Buffalo, then surveyed pediatrics house staff concerning frequency of encountering the topics, levels of comfort in addressing them, role models and resources, and perceived need for training. Residents perceived training to be…

Describes distance education experiments that studied delivery of library services directly to homes, and delivery via local study centers or libraries. Findings show that electronically transmitted documents could be delivered to homes using low-cost technology and that study centers or libraries could provide services to those who could not…

Reviews literature on the functional psychological consequences of computerization. Maintains that, while computational tasks are turned over to the computer, individuals retain traditional skills, knowledge, and attitudes. Includes three graphic figures illustrating the transformation of mental processes. (CFR)

Notes that, despite years of public outcry, children's issues still receive little attention from legislators and others in public policy. Suggests that lack of active commitment and involvement by administrators, teachers, and the public permit this to continue. Offers four key ingredients that together comprise a strategic framework for action…

A Chicana teacher describes the approaches and philosophies that assist her in being highly successful with language-minority students, providing practical applications of theory for working with these students. Also describes how the teacher supported the professional development of novice teachers working language-minority students. (HTH)

This series of papers examines the role of play from various angles, discussing play as an essential human function and universal experience, the role of play in developing cultural values and awareness, a symbolic interactionist view of play, early therapeutic recreation specialists, and the direction of commercialized play. (SM)

Reports on a study about mainstreaming issues in music education among 107 Arizona music educators. Finds that, in most schools, mainstreaming is the only music placement option, and regular music teachers are the sole providers of instruction for special learners. Concludes that effective mainstreaming does not exist in Arizona. (CFR)

Reports on a study of stressful life events (SLE's) among 1,114 urban Australian children ranging in age from 5-13. Finds that the children reported an average of six such events during their lifetimes. Also finds that children who experienced from 3-8 serious SLE's were rated as less well adjusted on a variety of behavioral measures. (CFR)

The literature on teen sexuality, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), drug abuse, and homelessness is reviewed as it relates to students with special needs. A survey of 258 special education teacher preparation programs revealed wide variability in the coverage that these programs were providing on these…

The Draper Laboratory Library created the Draper Gopher in response to the following factors: library downsizing, the computer services department's changing role, customer needs, and developments in technology affecting the information environment. Results of its implementation include user-focused reference services; increased interlibrary loan…

Evaluation of a program that traveled to various sites in rural New Mexico to evaluate special education students for augmentative and alternative communication needs revealed that parents and teachers were positive about the quality of services provided. Additionally, graduate students involved in providing services were positive about their…

The paper advances a number of suggestions for an enhanced research agenda in school health education, examining approaches to health education that work, noting new or enhanced directions that are suggested by current successes, and discussing directions for which there are few available data. (SM)