Gives an overview of the aspects of learning disabilities in regard to teaching approaches and course substitutions for language requirements that foreign language department chairs should attend to including the following: definitions of learning disabilities, diagnosis of learning disabilities, teaching methodology for the struggling student,…

Describes changes in a required library research course at the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh that focused on providing information more directly related to students' fields of study. Differences in the content for various disciplines are discussed, problems are described, and future plans are considered. (LRW)

Argues that attempts to provide university students in the United Kingdom with generic skills (such as study and information technology skills) are hampered by the differing needs and expectations of various disciplines and courses and of diverse student population groups. Describes and critically analyzes a case study of one such course,…

Provides a generic view of distance education graduate degrees based on a review of seven accredited programs. Discusses the development of distance education degrees; accreditation process; required courses; other courses offered; costs; course delivery media, including online and combinations; and future prospects. (LRW)

Studies determinants of university dropouts, using a longitudinal data set on student enrollments at the University of Montreal. Variables explaining persistence and dropouts are related to a nontraditional class-size effect in first-year required courses and to type of university program. Strong academic performance influences student…

Colleges and universities often permit students classified as learning disabled (LD) and other students not classified as LD to substitute courses for or waive the foreign language requirement. The Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) has become an increasingly popular assessment tool to determine which students can or cannot pass foreign language…

This article presents a roundup of the Arabic language instruction offered in the Dearborn, Michigan, school district. Only one of the district's 22 elementary schools--Becker--offers Arabic. Pupils receive at least two 40 minute periods of Arabic a week. The school gave up a two-way immersion program, in which students were taught half their…

Opportunities for future teachers to reflect on their own learning helps them be more thoughtful about their students' learning. Putting theory into action, Montclair State University developed a required course entitled "Program Planning in Early Childhood Education." The course, taken by all preservice teachers before their student teaching…

This study reports on the measured change in the attitude of students toward teaching science as a result of their experiences in an elementary activity-based science course for preservice elementary teachers. Overall, the students in this study showed a positive shift in attitude as measured by the Revised Science Attitude Scale instrument that…

In this article, the authors discuss how educators from Meredith College help college students gain a global awareness and take steps to be responsible global citizens. This is done by requiring all students to take a course that enables them to address a problem that has both global and local significance while using multiple disciplines and…

Background: School health education can effectively help reduce the prevalence of health-risk behaviors among students and have a positive influence on students' academic performance. This article describes the characteristics of school health education policies and programs in the United States at the state, district, school, and classroom…

A study was conducted at Donnelly College, in Kansas, to determine whether taking a math course prerequisite affected students' final course grades in an introductory chemistry course. From a sample of 329 students who finished the chemistry course between fall 1985 and fall 1993, course grades were compared for 30 students who had completed the…

Designed to provide the academic departments at California's Chabot College with information on state matriculation and academic standards, this handbook provides information on procedures for establishing course prerequisites and corequisites, as well as background information on conducting content reviews, course research, and assessments of…

Since 1961, the Department of Speech of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has required all students to take a "Principles of Effective Speaking" course. Some faculty members tried repeatedly between 1967 and 1987 to increase the course from two to three credit hours and to heighten the course's emphasis on listening skills. A 1990…

Described in this synopsis are the results of a public opinion survey concerning Michigan citizens' attitudes toward findings of the final report of the National Commission on Excellence in Education. The survey was conducted during weekday evening hours between June 23 and 30, l983. A majority of respondents strongly favored most of the…