Overviews challenges facing foreign language educators, including lack of a shared framework, dominance of the curriculum by textbooks, inaccurate student placement, yearly repetition of course content, and lack of a consensus on what students should achieve. A new articulation and achievement project has made progress in solving these problems.…

Rapid changes in technology and the skills needed to compete successfully in the workforce will necessitate higher standards in education, especially in the ability to acquire, organize, and use information. Library media specialists must play a significant role in providing information access, storage, dissemination, and instruction for students.…

Explores ideas to help college educators empower students through their teaching. The article discusses assumptions of power and privilege that underlie empowerment, providing examples of how educators can disempower. Biological, psychological, and sociocultural processes of empowerment as related to race, gender, and disability are examined. (SM)

Describes various aspects of the Toshiba Corporation's language training program. The Toshiba case illustrates some of the problems at a practical level with the concept of Business English (BE), the distinction between BE and English for Specific Purposes, and the incorporation of cross-cultural communication training into language instruction.…

State policies toward higher education in the twenty-first century are likely to continue in the patterns already established, though conflicts may intensify. State officials will need to be more sensitive to how policies affect institutions. Institutional representatives must recognize the legitimacy and priority of state, societal, and system…

Cites data from 214 welfare families to support the argument that tougher child-support enforcement can reduce welfare dependency. Suggests that the best way to mend the child-support system for welfare-reliant children is to create a system that takes into account the real-life situations of mothers and fathers, as well as norms regarding…

Summarizes problems and concerns expressed in this special issue devoted to child poverty. Examines child poverty under the broader context of wealth and power, presenting it in a historical perspective. Suggests that children raised in poverty experience more than the simple stress and strains of living on the margins. Discusses current problems…

Reviews two books for experienced teachers and administrators on national issues for care of infants and toddlers: "Caring for Infants and Toddlers in Violent Environments" (Osofsky and Fenichel, editors) and "Starting Points: Meeting the Needs of Our Youngest Children" (Carnegie Corporation). (JW)

Discussion of the use of CD-ROM databases for end-user searching versus online database searching in academic libraries focuses on a comparison of two databases, "Psychological Abstracts" and "Sociological Abstracts," that were searched in both formats. Factors of response time, coverage, content, and cost were investigated for…

Describes a study that investigated the effects of computer programing activities, supplemented with problem-solving strategy instruction, on programing skills and on learner attitudes toward computers and toward problem-solving skills. The instruction of elementary students in LOGO and junior high students in BASIC is described, and further…

Discusses changes in the Soviet school system that have given teachers greater voice in determining how they will teach. Suggests that understanding, kindness, and concern will foster a love of school and learning. Argues against abandoning compulsory schooling. Credits perestroika with making it possible for teachers not to have to lie to…

Discusses the need for a National Information Documentation Centre (NIDOC) in Nigeria. Topics addressed include functions of NIDOC, the location of NIDOC, including the role of the National Library; results of user studies; information storage and retrieval; library staff requirements and training; and access to national information sources. (17…

School use of PRESTEL, CAMPUS 2000, NERIS, and ECCTIS is discussed, and the implications of these online services and CD-ROM products are considered. A report is given on the CHIRP project (Computer Hotline for Information Re-Packaging), which is designed to teach information skills in a way that is relevant and motivates pupils. (21 references)…

Describes a study that examined the evolution of students' perceptions in grades 4 through 10 concerning computers over the course of 3 years. The use of Clark's concept of media attributions is explained; and results related to the three dependent variables of preference, perceived learning, and perceived difficulty are reported. (32 references)…

A study of beginning elementary teachers' mathematics instruction practices sought to identify the main factors influencing those practices. For all seven teachers studied, the perceived needs and expectations of students affected planning, interactive thinking, and lesson evaluation. (GLR)