The history of direct government funding of research in Australia's higher education institutions is chronicled, focusing on the evolution of research policy and emphasis on excellence. The establishment of the Australian Research Council and its statement of specific mission and priorities is also detailed. (MSE)

Asserts that promotion of classroom thinking generally is assumed to be the sole responsibility of the teacher. Suggests using a text that portrays students engaged in reasoning and other interventions to stimulate the growth of critical and creative thinking. (CFR)

More elaborate systems for managing and evaluating the performance of schools are needed than have prevailed to date in the United Kingdom. Experiences in working with schools and local education authorities indicate the necessity for radical breaks with past practices and procedures. (SLD)

Examination of 382 referral forms for special education found that regular classroom teachers initiated 74 percent of the referrals. Factor analysis of referral reasons revealed five common types of referrals, some interacting with gender and level of students. The factors dealt with written language, externalizing behavior, internalizing…

Described is how fifth graders used the Extended Case Study (ECS) approach to understand, analyze, investigate, and act on a science-related social issue in their community. The ECS approach provides a vehicle for teachers to coordinate an interdisciplinary Science-Technology-Society or environmental education perspective with science knowledge…

Describes middle and high schools in Upper Arlington (Ohio) that use the whole-language approach to teaching and learning. The schools emphasize student-centered education, cooperative learning, and student involvement in decision making. The curriculum is fully integrated, with writing used as a learning tool in all subject areas. (SM)

Describes a typical Group Decision Support System (GDSS) in use at the University of Mississippi and potential uses of a GDSS in seminars, interactive testing, lectures, foreign language study, and in communication with deaf or mute students. Benefits are noted, including increased participation, group synergy, and automated record keeping. (27…

Strategies are presented for developing a sense of ownership in learning, for use with students from culturally diverse backgrounds who have mild to moderate disabilities. The strategies include structuring a physical environment conducive to ownership; encouraging student ownership in classroom management; and encouraging ownership in academics.…

Argues that inconsistency in addressing issues of students' rights is widespread, even in Supreme Court decisions. Proposes that the rebuttable presumption of adolescent maturity is justified by psychological evidence. Extends the analysis to considerations of intellectual freedom in public secondary schools, governmental constraints on…

Examines opposing trends in administration and policy that simultaneously influence the size and shape of American school systems. Consolidation has reduced the number of districts, while decentralization reduces the size of the school district by dividing it into smaller units. Twenty issues are identified for districts considering either option.…

Intent of "A Nation at Risk" was to call attention to erosion of students' family lives, not to excoriate teachers. Reforms affecting only six hours of children's daily lives cannot succeed. Schools must reach out to help parents, and child-care workers become skilled at incidental (informal) teaching. Other concerns include technology,…

Colleges and universities have begun to benefit from advancing technology. Considering the problems higher education faces and the potential that enterprise-wide information access offers, institutional leaders must look ahead and decide where to invest in information technology support to achieve maximum benefits in quality improvement and cost…

This study found that the postsecondary education experience (junior college, community college, 4-year college/university, military, or private training) chosen by 225 young adults with learning disabilities was related to use of community resources; community mobility; participation in vocational education while in high school; autonomy; peer…

Describes study that was conducted to determine how the attitudes of policymakers affect the role of the public library in the dissemination of AIDS information. Theoretical considerations relating to decision making, diffusion and innovation, and status risk are discussed, and research questions involving library resources and services are…

A questionnaire was administered to 339 graduating senior medical students at the Medical College of Georgia to determine different potential sources of influence on career choice. Indebtedness may be associated with the choice of a non-primary care specialty with greater remuneration than primary care specialty. (MLW)