Describes and evaluates specific audiovisual materials which can be used to teach Soviet history. Includes films, videotape cassettes, filmstrips, slides, photograph collections, records, and cassettes. Recommends use as aids only and emphasizes need for explanatory background. (CK)

Teachers of literature must be interested in the ideational and aesthetic perception of an artistic text. The analytical orientation must be modernized to emphasize the practical formation of children's abilities to express their own thoughts. (Author/AV)

Examines current concerns of early childhood practitioners regarding the effects of popular toys such as Barbie dolls and Power Rangers on children's understanding of gender. Critiques traditional theories of sex role socialization and argues that feminist post-structuralist views of gender are useful in deciding if and how popular toys may be…

Examines the controversy over what some consider liberal education's shortcoming in a multicultural society: that it is predominantly an exclusive white male, Europe and North American centered curriculum. Explores assumptions held by those supporting liberal education as it is currently taught and by those who believe it should not ignore the…

Presents an interview with David Bradley, professor of English at Temple University (PA), who defends the teaching of Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" to black students despite recent moves to remove the book from some public school libraries because it is deemed offensive. Bradley provides recommendations for teaching "Huckleberry…

Reviews recent trends in school effectiveness research from a British perspective. Discusses the achievements of school effectiveness research in destroying assumptions of school impotence in the face of family background. Examines criticisms of effectiveness research, recent research themes, factors associated with school effectiveness, positive…

Discusses the increased use of hands-on teaching activities that, while meant to engage students in learning, fail to teach them anything of importance. Explains why this trend started and why it is continuing to be used. Concluding comments provide questions teachers should ask during activity planning in order to make it an effective teaching…

Examines the linkage between facility bond elections and the indicators of wealth (property valuation and income) and the appropriateness of relying on property valuations as the primary indicator of school district wealth. Results from 31 randomly selected schools in Nebraska show an unclear relationship between wealth factors and success in…

Describes the "Enlightenment program" (often equated with modernity) and postmodernist criticisms of Enlightenment thought. Discusses the notions of Europe and Europeans as reflecting social inclusion/exclusion as much as geography. Examines the relevance of postmodernist theories to school and university knowledge systems, highlighting…

Examines the charter school concept as a means for educational improvement. Concerns over quality and equity are briefly discussed, and reasons why educators and researchers need to be included in the debate are highlighted. Suggests that charter schools can pilot new teaching strategies and curriculum offerings, and introduce productive…

Discusses the difficulties of funding parental or school choice systems in public schools through traditional school finance mechanisms. It examines the parental-choice program as enacted in Massachusetts, and reveals that parental choice undermines local control over education. It also explores school choice and educational equity, arguing…

Highlights several articles that raise questions about the role of research in educational reform. These articles argue over the use of National Assessment of Educational Progress results for accountability purposes; and the advisability of using cost-benefit analysis in critiquing educational reform proposals, and particularly, in evaluating the…

Discusses the differences and goals of four areas: (1) art appreciation; (2) art history; (3) art aesthetics; and (4) art criticism. Offers a definition of art appreciation and information on how the view of art appreciation in education has changed over time. (CMK)

Critiques the process for selecting academic librarians. Discusses the role of job analysis, the use of reference checks, structured interviews, open sessions, candidate presentations, and performance testing. Concludes that many of the deficiencies in academic library selection could be corrected without undermining the collegial and…