A loosely knit coalition of over 25 native groups, the Peruvian Amazon Peoples has prepared a statement directed at the Peruvian Constitutional Assembly for purposes of Native input into the preparation of a revised national constitution. (JC)

Critical examination of reviews of the literature on computer-assisted instruction (CAI) compares and evaluates three traditional and 13 quantitative reviews. Synthesis of the findings indicates that typical effect of CAI is to raise outcome measures by 0.42 standard deviation units, placing average students at 66th percentile of control group…

Defines education's new paradigm as schooling based on decision making, the critical thinking skills serving it, and the knowledge base supporting it. Outlines a model decision-making process using a hypothetical breakfast problem; a late riser chooses goals, generates ideas, develops an action plan, and implements and evaluates it. (4 references)…

Described is a sociology of communications and media course in which college students look at and analyze major media institutions in order to understand communications in society. The strategy of developing students' analytic, synthesis, and critical thinking skills is applicable to other programs and courses. (RM)

In a personal response to the proceedings as a future-oriented, proactive, problem-solving experience, it is suggested that the participants may have learned more than is realized and that time will determine conference results. (Author/CM)

Three methods are given for the synthesis of N-4 substituted sulfonamides. An example elucidates the procedures involved in one of the methods. The example is intended as a model for students. (SA)

The six articles of this issue discuss the place of meta-analysis in the health professions and present two state-of-the-art meta-analyses using a variety of innovative methodologies, statistics, and secondary analytic procedures. A survey conducted for this issue and its sequel explores interventions to facilitate meta-analysis. (SLD)

Too often, in the teaching of U.S. history, inclusion of other cultures in the curriculum passes for synthesis. True synthesis incorporates various elements of human experience (events, institutions, groups) into an explanatory narrative. Understanding requires a sense of the differences that mark and make U.S. society. (MSE)

Presents a synthesis of what is known about Title I schoolwide programs, focusing on characteristics of schools and districts implementing schoolwide programs, programmatic and organizational characteristics of the programs, and evidence of program effectiveness. Cautions in interpreting the evaluation findings are presented, and educational…

Critiques the conclusions of S. Veenman (1995) about multigrade classes and suggests that selection bias and lower-quality instruction should be included as part of the explanation for his findings of no difference. Indicates that multigrade classes have at least a small negative effect on achievement and potentially negative effects on teacher…

D. Mason and R. Burns (1996) have concluded that multigrade classes have a slightly negative effect on students' achievement. However, a reanalysis, based on meta-analytic procedures, of the available studies shows the average weighted effect sizes to be essentially zero or close to zero. Contains 51 references. (SLD)