Effects of adult mediation and literacy-enriched play settings in Head Start classrooms on environmental and functional print tasks were studied for 177 minority preschoolers in poverty. Results indicate that the active engagement of adult mediators in literacy-enriched office play settings influenced children's ability to read environmental…

Discusses the role of assessment in community colleges and reviews assessment from the perspective of accrediting bodies. Examines challenges faced by community colleges including planning strategically, implementing effective transfer and articulation, achieving affirmative learning environments, and fulfilling college missions and objectives…

This article examines the relationship between cognitive, instructional and social psychology. It is proposed that all human activity is instructive with self-instructive activity opening the person to the instructive activity of others. The psychologist's job is seen as finding out what can be taught and to whom. (DB)

Refutes Peter Foster's critique of the author's research study. Suggests Foster misinterprets the work, fails to substantiate his criticisms, and attempts to deny the importance of school processes in perpetuating racism. Maintains that the study was on school processes and not on racism. (CH)

A model of student progress and drop-out from postsecondary distance education courses includes components of background characteristics; motivation; academic environment; and the family, work, and social environment. The author recommends ways in which distance education courses might be formatted so as to reduce student drop-out. (Author/MLW)

This article organizes what is known about teacher staff development into five models currently being espoused and used. Supporting theory and research on these models are reviewed, and a description is given of what is currently known about the organizational context that is required to support successful staff development efforts. (Author/IAH)

Using distance education to develop management metacompetencies such as creativity, flexibility, and resourcefulness encounters problems in terms of learner vulnerability, learning style, structural dysfunctions, and "reality" methods. A combination of distance learning, discovery learning, and competency-based simulation may address these…

School business officials are held responsible for school safety. After conducting a school security audit, the following strategies are recommended: establishing a local school security task force; forming a comprehensive crisis management plan; establishing a school communication network; and providing school staff with inservice training on…

Exploration of the status and development of foreign language curriculum articulation focuses on such diverse instructional conditions as expanded curricula, proficiency levels, expanded learner groups, the learning process, and language attitudes. A proposed framework for addressing articulation incorporates the pluralism of those conditions with…

The United States is entering an era of nationalizing education as national coalitions become major reform players and the power of local school boards and district central offices continues to erode. National coalitions will provide student assessment systems and new workplace designs where school-site personnel will craft personalized learning…

Describes innovative school programs for students at risk for alcohol and other drug problems. Describes model programs in Puget Sound school districts as involving school, families, community agencies, and youth in efforts to create school environments free of substance abuse and violence. (Author/NB)

School districts must address health and academic challenges homeless children bring to school by forming community-based task forces, helping homeless shelters address families' needs, increasing staff awareness, and developing strategies to encourage homeless children's academic success. The paper notes opportunities for staff involvement and…

Based on an educational consultant's experience with a Pacific Telesis Foundation school restructuring program, this article shows the importance of time and culture. Restructuring means formally rearranging time usage to allow schools to create and sustain an interactive culture and supporting infrastructure for improving student learning. To…

As part of Alberta's provincial initiative, Brooks School District used administrator, teacher, and student input to develop quality indicators of responsible student behaviors and values that contribute to academic success. Baseline data were collected on homework completion, vandalism, disciplinary actions, and academic achievement. Community…

Ideas of the philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre are developed for application to education. The school implied by MacIntyre's philosophy emphasizes content, substance, virtue, the learning environment, and the learning process. In a pluralist society, a school of choice, rather than a common school, is preferable. (SLD)