Reviews five books on child poverty and welfare reform: (1) "Living on the Edge: The Realities of Welfare in America"; (2) "Welfare System Reform: Coordinating Federal, State and Local Public Assistance Programs"; (3) "Single Mothers and Their Children in the Other America"; (4) "Rethinking Social Policy: Race, Poverty and the Underclass"; and (5)…

Describes a study that tested a model that included individual and environmental indicators of bonding to predict smoking, substance use, and sexual activity among secondary students. Individuals reporting high levels of bonding were less likely to exhibit high-risk behavior, regardless of gender. School environment directly influenced ninth…

Presents 10 teaching strategies that give attention to affective variables in mathematics classrooms to increase the likelihood that high school students will continue to enroll in higher level mathematics courses. Strategies focus on frustration, vocabulary use, anxiety, confidence, cooperative learning, creativity, remediation, mathematical…

Investigates the validity and reliability of performance assessments using data from over 300 fifth and sixth graders. Results demonstrate the gap between the reality of measurement through performance assessments and the political rhetoric that would institute these assessments in a national examination system in the immediate future. (SLD)

This three-year survey of undergraduates (n=330) in science, mathematics, and engineering (SME) majors indicates that a large proportion of those who switch from SME majors acknowledge difficulties that arise from structural and cultural sources rather than from personal inadequacy. Those who persevere make effective use of situational resources…

Examines curriculum development and culturally compatible practices in light of contemporary Hawaiian culture, and provides a guide for implementing a multicultural program. Such a program centers on parent and community involvement in an on-site curriculum development team using a systematic set of implementation strategies. Three worksheets for…

Discusses an investigation of how British secondary school geography teachers' attitudes and values influence their choices of objectives, content, and teaching methods. Focuses on approaches to development issues. Uses cluster analysis to summarize results. Notes the constraining influence of having to prepare students for public examinations.…

A study of predominantly white teachers participating in a multicultural education staff development program illustrated how social class and gender experiences informed their understanding of the social order they used to understand race. Following the staff development, few teachers substantially restructured their perspectives about racial…

Advocates reintegrating social studies into early primary education. Provides social studies objectives for young children that include building positive self-concept; promoting understanding of cultural differences; gaining early appreciation of law concepts; and developing spatial and temporal skills. Argues that young children become more…

Discusses effects of peer relationships on preschoolers' social development. Peer acceptance is important for successful social interaction and adjustment to school, whereas antisocial behavior is associated with rejection. Family interaction and experience are connected to peer acceptance. Suggests approaches that teachers may use to facilitate…

Compared the relationship of temperament to adjustment in Israeli and American early childhood group care centers. Cross-cultural differences in the ideals held by caregivers and their judgment of actual children were found. The relationship between temperament and adjustment differed between the two groups. Suggested that the "fit"…

Surveys students majoring in education in the United States and Sri Lanka to explore reminiscences of memorable teachers. Categorizes memories according to teachers' personal and professional characteristics, methods, classroom environments, extra efforts, and influences. Includes students' statements and appends the study's questionnaire. Notes…

Recent changes in New Zealand educational administration are empowering parents to seek integration into mainstream classrooms for their children with disabilities. These changes include an emerging economic model of schools, the establishment of the right of all children to education in state schools, and recognition of the rights of Maori…

Describes the higher education reform discussion in Austria which led to major system reorganization in 1993. It is noted that a previous academic oligarchy played a central role because a high proportion of university faculty also served in the parliament. Research on higher education played little part in reform because few studies were…

Defines the distinction between a "doing to" approach to children as the imposition of adult will on children and the "working with" approach as good listening, responsive teaching, and a collaborative approach of community-building. Challenges Montessori teachers to improve their craft and move from "doing to" to…