Examines the effects of teachers' decision-making power on core educational issues involving conflict among teachers, students, and administrators. Discovers a positive relationship between increased teacher autonomy and decreased school conflict. Identifies and discusses several types of decisions made by teachers. (MJP)

Elected president of Iran in 1997, Khatami promised to bring about political reform, freedom, and religious democracy. He charged schools with creating moral, politicized, and empowered individuals with a strong Iranian-Islamic identity, but capable of relating to the West. While reflecting some of Khatami's goals and values, schools continue to…

Discusses several issues related to a modern approach in the interpretation of civil freedom and its relationship to the notion of family. First, presents some definitions and distinctions regarding the sociology of political freedom, which it suggests should become the sociology of citizenship. Then, applies those ideas to families, particularly…

Investigates the informal curriculum of a state-funded after-school dropout prevention program for adolescents. The program's goal is to resocialize them into their schools and enable them to achieve academic success. The paper proposes that the program fails to achieve its goal because of its ideology, and it recommends an alternative perspective…

Argues that social studies classrooms should provide a safe environment for both young women and men to practice managing social conflict. Maintains that feminist approaches to citizenship education can inform discussions examining the complex problems and power relationships that make up society. (MJP)

Examines the relationships between students and families in Russia as they adapt to a new society. Contrasts traditional and current roles of socialization among various social classes. Includes seven tables of statistical data revealing the dichotomy between the new business class and those employed in the public sector. (MJP)

Investigates how classroom traits (interaction norms, emotional climate) and students' traits (comprehension, confidence) impact on students' participation in class. Multiple regression analysis of survey data suggests that faculty members may play a much less direct role than previously assumed. (MJP)

Profiles a videoconference that brought together two seventh-grade classes in Connecticut. Over several days, white, middle-class, rural students discussed topical issues with urban black students. Topics raised included diversity, politics, gun control and local issues. Includes students' responses to the program. (MJP)

A study evaluated the effectiveness of a residential program, based on the TEACCH model, in improving the program quality and adaptation of 32 adolescents and adults with autism and severe disabilities. Participants experienced an increase in structure and individualized programming in several areas, and the families were significantly more…

Compared Comorian and Algerian 10- and 11-year-old immigrants' attitudes toward school, friendship nominations, and friendship quality. Found that ethnic origin was a factor in choosing friends; positive friendship quality associated with better attitudes toward school; and in-group friendships were more common and of higher quality than those…

Traces the late-nineteenth-century movement to raise the U.S. flag at public schools, Americanize immigrant students, and inspire patriotism through flag exercises and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Identifies political opposition. Relates this history to the June 1989, Supreme Court decision, stating flag burning was protected under the…

Hypotheses derived from social learning and exchange concepts regarding determinants of parenting practices were tested on 61 families, each with a seventh grader, using self-report measures and coders' ratings of videotaped family interaction. Findings indicated determinants of parenting differed somewhat by sex and different factors predicted…

Examines recent studies from several countries that compared adolescent male and female attitudes toward authority. Reports that these studies do not support M. Emler and S. Reicher's (1987) assertion that delinquent behavior results from a failure to inculcate favorable attitudes toward authority through socialization. Finds the relationship…

Reports on a study of the impact of a transformative curriculum in social studies among 96 11th-grade students in a New York City high school. Illustrates problems teachers face when they assume that students are making the intellectual connections expected of them. (CFR)

Discusses the use of role models as a means of political socialization and moral education in China. Asserts that Chinese children in post-Liberation China actually were learning a set of core virtues that have roots in Confucian tradition. Predicts that newer role models will be used to perpetuate values such as benevolence. (CFR)