Canadian educational reform involves "top-half" provincial policy makers and "bottom-half" communities, schools, and local jurisdictions. Policy reforms in curriculum, instruction, and assessment are on the right track while those in teacher education and community development are not. Local implementation concerns are…

Describes how the author, a third-grade teacher, deals with the challenges of teaching within a school-based reform package. Describes how she finds ways of satisfying the required number of minutes of reading, math, and science instruction without sacrificing what she knows about what works for her students and their learning. Discusses pros and…

Examines the conflict between two diametrically opposed child advocacy groups as a result of a legislative initiative in North Carolina known as Smart Start. At issue was funding of model day care centers, reduction of staff-to-child ratios in day care centers, and child immunizations. Chronicles the conflict and highlights group tactics. (SD)

A research agenda was developed to examine effects of rural school busing on rural children, families, and communities. The agenda addresses the history, politics, and financing of rural school busing; social, cultural, health, and safety considerations; geographic justice and school distribution; relationship to consolidation; influences on…

To minimize the effect of partisan politics on curriculum development and change, we must encourage broad involvement of educators and citizens in discussions about such curricular issues as the balance of subjects, social and intellectual skills to be emphasized, standards to be set, and how to develop the personal characteristics important to…

Suggests ways for music teachers to capitalize on student interest in contemporary sounds. Gives recommendations for class examination, examples of recordings and print articles to foster student enthusiasm and class participation. Discusses curriculum tie-ins with nursery rhymes, fairy tales, oral history, and social commentary, listing songs…

Describes efforts by Malaysian society to transform itself using technology into an information-rich knowledge society founded on positive universal values. Locates contemporary educational development within the framework of four government-driven initiatives that provide the direction and resources for educational change. Discusses issues…

An exploratory study examined the characteristics and attitudes of 78 West Virginia women, age 25 and older, who enrolled in a state college after an absence from schooling. The women were embedded in traditional Appalachian networks of family, church, and community but demonstrated quite liberal social attitudes toward women's roles, abortion,…

Reviews the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty and considers the implications for Hong Kong civic education. Describes the negligible attention given to civic education previously and discusses some of the reasons for this. Outlines the "Guidelines for Civic Education" introduced in 1984. (MJP)

The National PTA conducted focus groups, surveys, and interviews with PTA members and the general public to gauge opinion about public education. Respondents felt that public education has worsened recently. Most did not believe media portrayal of public schooling. Violence was a major concern. Respondents wanted to see more family involvement and…

Educational change can result in meaningful, holistic learning if communities educate constituents on the need for new societal and educational paradigms; begin a process of disorienting away from old school structures while orienting toward the new; develop a person-based educational philosophy; establish research and development learning…

Examines the problem of equity in school funding, noting the relationship between poverty, racial composition, spending, and student achievement. Discusses how equity is measured; the influence of the social context (i.e., ghettoization, corporate deals, and political spins); the impact of the legal context; and the issue of equity versus justice.…

Identifies factors contributing to urban schools' failure, including bureaucratic decision-making processes; outmoded, poorly maintained, and improperly designed facilities; responsibility overload; a new student population comprising immigrants, African-Americans, and the poor; rising security costs; inadequate staffing; and lack of political…

Data from interviews with Palestinian activist college students about their earlier schooling in Israel are used to illustrate Palestinian teachers' dilemmas and challenges and to confirm that the Israeli authorities systematically use formal education to repress Palestinian national identity and awareness among students. Educational goals of…

The co-founders of the Sudbury Valley School (Massachusetts) discuss how the school's philosophy is based on giving children respect, freedom, and support to find their own self-motivation; how play is one of the best learning tools; and the sustained public relations effort that has been required to establish and maintain the school's…