Introduces this theme issue by suggesting that the problems teen parents present for school and society cannot be adequately addressed without an understanding of the cultural and social frameworks that have led to their prominence in national political discourse. Argues that successful prevention programs cannot be developed without this same…

Assessed classroom strategies using literature-based lesson models to facilitate empathy development in kindergarten and second grade. Concluded that commitment to core values such as justice, honesty, tolerance, and concern and respect for others should not be decontextualized but should be developed through direct personal experience. (Author/KB)

Discusses how modernization processes (rationalization, secularization, and individuation) produce continuous change in children's life conditions in the Scandinavian welfare states. Argues that scientific knowledge about early childhood fails because it abstracts children from their particular contexts. Proposes that "childhood" is the…

Discusses the treatment of idioms in language learning, specifically questions that need to be addressed when decisions are made on the role of idioms in language-learning programs. Particular emphasis is on the extent to which idioms present a particular source of misunderstanding and confusion for learners. (Author/VWL)

Argues that the context of counseling factors can make a difference in the counselor/client relationship and the process and outcome of counseling. Suggests that context has been ignored in counseling theory, research, and practice and that attention to context can contribute to more responsive and effective counseling services. (Author/MKA)

A meta-analysis of 21 instructional treatments aimed at enhancing the skill of deliberately deriving word meaning from context during reading shows a medium effect size of 0.43 standard deviation units. Exploratory multilevel regression shows that clue instruction appears more effective than other instruction types or practice alone. (Author/SLD)

Discusses situative perspective as a framework for integrating issues of theoretical assumptions, educational practices, and educational research. In this perspective, the focus of theoretical principles is at the level of interaction among people and between people and their environments. Contains three pages of references. (MMU)

Presents results of a study of the organizational and political context of internal and external school evaluation in four European countries, focusing on evaluation methods and the role of the inspectorate. Also presents a comparative analysis of four cases of school self-evaluation at the elementary level in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands,…

Focuses on what transpired during a mentor-training course in Hungary that involved prospective mentors and student English-language teachers. In the course, role plays proved to be the stimulus for an exploration of how far the model of mentoring commonly promoted takes sufficient account of contextual factors. (Author/VWL)

Challenges common explanations of why teacher candidates ineffectively teach children of diverse backgrounds. Finds that teacher candidates differ on their positions concerning social difference; to negotiate social difference, the tensions they encounter must be understood. Suggests changing teacher socialization to include tension as integral to…

Reports findings from a longitudinal study tracking the expectations, shifts in expectations, and emergent beliefs of novice self-instructed language learners. Investigates how learners experienced and articulated their experience in a distance-learning context. Focused on learner-context interface, tolerance for ambiguity, and locus of control.…

Schwa epenthesis and schwa deletion are two types of phonological variation that occur frequently in Dutch. In this study, a series of picture-naming experiments investigated whether schwa epenthesis and schwa deletion are arbitrary processes or whether they are contextually driven and take place in speech-planning process. Findings are discussed…

Examined gender and cultural differences in over 3,000 children's ideas about what leads to academic success. Found close correspondence between children's achievement and competence-related beliefs, with the exception that young girls appeared to specifically discount their talent. The effect held regardless of children's achievement,…

The educational leadership field has not kept pace with globalizing events in policy and practice. Discusses major issues (transfer of ideas, clarification of cultural concepts, cultural assumptions in management, politico-cultural contexts, and tensions between indigenous cultures and reform tenets) raised in this special issue and expresses them…

Australian nursing students (n=48) identified instances when clinical teachers used humor. Students felt that humor humanized teachers, created a positive environment, made connections, and facilitated clinical learning. Awareness of personal and cultural values regarding humor was important. (SK)