Part two of a longitudinal study investigated teachers' morale during the Russian political and economic crisis of 1992. Surveys revealed the significance of age and workplace on teacher morale. Teachers ages 29-59 working in specialized schools were more optimistic than teachers older than 60 working in regular schools. (SM)

This article profiles Han Dongfang of China, winner of the 1993 George Meany Human Rights Award given by the AFL-CIO. An organizer of the first democratic labor organization in the People's Republic of China and advocate of individual freedom, Dongfang has faced persecution in China and remains a stateless person. (SLD)

Presents a description of a college-level course on gender politics. Recommends instructional techniques, content topics, and instructional resources. States that the course has been received positively by students. (CFR)

Dichotomizes academic research and educational policymaking as distinct and often conflicting cultures. Examines legislative support of higher education as an illustration of the research-policy disconnection. Summarizes recent criticisms of higher education research. Discusses differing "mind frames" of researchers and policymakers,…

Describes a teachers' focus group devoted to informing parents about their reading programs and emergent literacy practices. Describes development and use of a home-based literacy inventory to raise awareness of emerging literacy in routine activities. Discusses demonstration of the educational philosophy and instructional practice of emergent…

Describes a study that attempted to determine how four groups (presidents, administrators, department chairs and full-time faculty) perceived the effect of presidential leadership on the dealings of the community college. Indicates that administrators, department chairs, and faculty do not believe that presidents exert much influence or understand…

Successive UK governments have not clarified educational standards. The Tory government promulgated autonomous grant-maintained schools. Now Labour plans to "reinvent" this sector via foundation and voluntary schools with reduced powers. A recent study found that headteachers believed grant-maintained status (and enhanced funding) helped…

English has emerged as an important language in Vietnam, and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) education exists at all levels of schooling and in business. This paper explains Vietnam's post-embargo quest for English, the effect of economic hardships on education in Vietnam, incoming ESL instructors, and the past, present, and future of languages…

Teachers' unions are formidable foes of meaningful education reforms. Their control of education results from nearly four decades of political power during which they have pressured lawmakers and school board members to shape education policies, laws, and contracts in their favor. The resulting frustration of long-ignored parents is manifesting…

Suggests that private school choice initiatives, though fiercely opposed by teacher unions and civil-liberties groups, will allow minority students from poor urban areas to succeed educationally. Urban minority parents support school choice. If U.S. politicians and citizens truly believe in the right to life, liberty, and the freedom to better…

The debate over national history standards is so fixated on "which history" that the importance of studying history is being overlooked. History humanizes us in ways that few other curricular areas can. Three classroom vignettes illustrate the difficulties of achieving mature historical understanding in a Disney/MTV-dominated culture. (53…

Parents and private schools are generally satisfied with Milwaukee's voucher program. Four results are fairly negative: loss of active parents from public schools; student attrition from private schools; closure of four private schools; and lower achievement-test scores. Also, proponents are using dubious findings to support unwarranted program…

Globalization, referring to the formation of world systems, embraces finance and trade; communications and information technologies; migration and tourism; global societies; linguistic, cultural, and ideological convergence; and signs and images. Globalization does not negate the nation-state, but it changes its circumstances and makes education…

Shows how the relationship between (Australian) secondary teachers and their highly respected, collegial principal changed when he was perceived as "doer of the center's bidding." The principal's efforts to comply with a ministerial directive to impose a statewide curriculum undermined trust in his leadership. (12 references) (MLH)

Reviews major trends in comparative-education research in the Arab states. Reviews studies categorized by "comparative context" (cross-Arab, state-specific, Arab versus non-Arab) at the system, school, or classroom level. Argues that research has largely neglected the conflictual dynamic between state policies and civil society, focusing…