In this book, it is argued that the so-called crisis in education is really a crisis in childhood and that the unit of change is not the school but rather the larger community. Schools inherited from the industrial age are structured to develop a mass of students who, at best, are equipped with basic skills and the ability to follow orders. The…

This paper considers the importance of student housing to the goal of student learning, and suggests ways in which campus residential programs can become strategic partners in student learning. It proposes partnerships between campus housing professionals and faculty colleagues and presents a number of models for consideration: residential…

These two newsletters for 1997 highlight the following topics and issues. The July issue reports that community and technical colleges are moving to performance funding as a result of the 1997 Washington state legislature including a performance evaluation proviso for all public higher education institutions. Another article is featured on data…

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)