Today's society is marked by the effects of globalization and an ever-increasing diversity of culture and language. Adding to the pace of change are the proliferating multimedia and information technologies. These phenomena are shaping the way in which meaning is created and exchanged, and they are generating a dynamic plurality of texts. The…

Establishing a solid standards-and-assessment system is only the first step toward the ultimate goal of bringing all students to the standards. But without this first step, all others will fall short. The paper explains the essential role of standards and assessments in improving student achievement and offers solutions to challenges districts…

Rural communities with populations of under 15,000 are the least resilient to negative economic shocks, but local initiatives can reduce the negative impact of rapid economic change. Data from a study of three rural Australian communities and one "community-of-common-purpose" were used to develop a model of how the informal learning…

Discusses various themes and ideas (and how to teach them) presented in Reading Ladders for Human Relations.'' (MM)

"What happens when a dial-access educational media center is installed in a 50-year old junior college with a well-established curriculum and faculty? Problems develop, but there's a happy ending. (Author/LS)

Reviews literature from humanistic authors that focuses on teacher and situational characteristics conducive to the transmittal of important academic material to the students, while simultaneously enhancing their growth as individuals. (Author/RC)

A study investigated whether preassessments of general and specific knowledge can predict children's listening comprehension. Topical knowledge, assessed by multiple-choice questions, did predict story comprehension; topical interest, however, did not correlate either with topical knowledge or comprehension. (Authors/PP)

Peer relationships greatly influence how students form opinions of books and of reading in general. Students in a class can be seen as a community of readers. Their discussions, both formal and informal, can be a means of developing an awareness of literature and how to enjoy it. (PP)

Describes a three-year guidance project that focused on college-based careers that have not traditionally attracted or encouraged women. Information about opportunities and requirements in engineering, business, and other such careers was presented to guidance counselors, teachers, and secondary school administrators in a workshop format. Notes…

The social and interpersonal characteristics of early adolescents are described in relation to puberty and the physical and emotional changes that are experienced by the preteen. Learning characteristics for this age group include problem-solving strategies, self-directed learning, and emerging value systems. (JN)

A social cognitive developmental model is presented integrating a Piagetian developmental model and Flavell's processing model, to describe three aspects of development. The utility of the model was tested in two studies. The results demonstrate that it is possible to increase children's social cognitive abilities instructionally. (Author/CTM)

This paper discusses how students engage in misbehavior for meaningful, needs-meeting reasons. Methods for helping children to learn more satisfying and appropriate ways of meeting their needs are explained. The Pennsylvania State University Social-Emotional Climate Index is presented as a tool for assessing the classroom climate. (Author/BE)

After reviewing the state of career education throughout the country, the article focuses on the need for more adequate programs in the career exploration phase of career education. Iowa's Project Discovery is described and recommended to junior high and middle school educators as a model for their career exploration programs. (AJ)

This article discusses the viability of the counselor as change agent in working with nontraditional students. These counselors can help students acquire basic skills and participate in learning experiences that are the most appropriate for their needs. (Author)

Surveys undergraduates' experiences with and attitudes toward international teaching assistants (ITAs). Argues that students, who are coping with a difficult situation in which required courses are often taught by ITAs with different cultural and pedagogical expectations, are reluctant to seek help from the teacher. (38 references) (Author/CK)