Autonomous or individual study has indisputably become an objective of great importance for European education. Attempts to explain the reasons for this widespread interest. (Author/RK)

A survey compared patterns in academic programs and student-university relationships of 142 doctoral graduates in education with 97 students with all requirements except the dissertation to help understand what differentiates the two groups. Results indicate differences between groups in sense of responsibility, employment patterns, financial aid.…

The author arrived at the Delta Principals Institute with low expectations and the same obstacles facing other principals from poverty-stricken areas: poor student achievement, staff apathy, lack of parental support, superannuated curricula, and poor community support. There he learned how to overcome these obstacles by using a more participative…

A first-grade teacher describes her efforts to relinquish class ownership and allow students to internalize self-discipline in developmental stages, learn respectful treatment of others, and generate their own curriculum. Children learn responsibility as they make decisions about how their classroom is run and are fascinated by subject matter of…

Describes how technology-based portfolios were used for assessment in undergraduate education courses; students prepared them for elementary and secondary level children and themselves. The electronic portfolios showed a more complete picture of student progress and achievement than traditional approaches to assessment. Students demonstrated a…

Emphasizes the importance of effective communication in ensuring that deaf children have an appropriate and successful physical education experience, looking at issues related to the psychomotor abilities of deaf children, discussing the need for educational interpreters in the physical education class, and explaining the communication…

A freshman seminar offered at a women's college includes activities designed to enhance individual academic responsibility by assessing academic goals and evaluating progress toward them. Faculty advisor evaluation and student evaluation of the course indicate its usefulness. The exercises can be used in any developmental academic advisor-advisee…

The Japanese homeroom class is a basic social unit; most students will spend their entire time in a school in the same room. Homeroom teachers share parental responsibility for each student's academic and social progress and for discipline and guidance. An hour-long weekly homeroom class follows a prescribed curriculum. (MSE)

Increasingly, college athletic coaches are attending programs to help them relate to athletes more effectively on and off the field and deal with issues such as ethics, academic responsibility, careers. Coaches are learning new ways to communicate with students, identify need for help, and participate in the institution's educational mission. (MSE)

Reports on a study of 102 Israeli males, ages 22-30, on the relationship between religiosity and the obligation work norm. Finds that the level of obligation to work was significantly higher in the religious group than in the nonreligious group. (CFR)

Recent statistics concerning teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases are compelling reasons for reaching kids before they become sexually active. Comprehensive K-12 programs are essential, despite conflicts over abstinence, "abstinence-but," and safer sex approaches. Adverse program criticism can be diffused if administrators…

Describes how learning contracts (written agreements between a teacher and a student) help meet the needs of both middle school students and teachers. Discusses reappearing themes about contracts, how contracts meet teacher needs, program design and preliminaries, peer-to-peer cooperation, flexible grouping and minilessons, readings, exhibitions,…

School reform demands rethinking of schooling goals, culture, and leadership. Research evidence shows that "task" goals (stressing learning for its own sake) are preferable to "ability" goals (stressing learning as means to an end). School policies and practices must be redefined according to the learning task, degree of student autonomy,…

Literature circles are groups of three to eight students who have read the same (self-selected) story or novel and have gathered to discuss their reading. Discussions are teacher supported but student led, and they combine collaborative learning with independent reading. Teachers can use these small-group discussions to link reading, writing, and…

Discusses how the use of creative dramatics within the classroom at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year can unite, rejuvenate, and motivate students. Describes how students learn decision making and immerse themselves in the responsibilities of the process. (MG)