A study of 280 Nigerian women in technical/technological degree programs identified four factors influencing enrollment in nontraditional education (in order of importance): vocational self-efficacy, perceived social support, valence of occupation, and perceived opportunity structure. Motivations of engineering, architecture, and medical sciences…

The "attractor magnet" curricula in the Interdisciplinary Program at Suncoast Community High School (Florida) include drafting, technology, engineering technology, and communications technology. As an alternative to comprehensive high schools, it provides challenging college-prep programs to a diverse population. (JOW)

Describes research aimed at developing a theoretical framework for Further Education and Training (FET) options within South African higher education. These alternative options could broaden the scope, value, and outcomes of current programs designed to increase access to further education by lower achievers and other unprepared students. (EV)

Reviews the report "Do Charter Schools Measure Up? The Charter School Experiment After 10 Years" created by the American Federation of Teachers. Argues that rather than being serious research, the report is an indictment against charter schools for the purpose of retaining the union's power in public schools. (WFA)

The DeLasalle Education Center in Kansas City, Missouri, accepts only students who are confirmed educational failures. The school is private, charges no tuition, and demonstrates that educational programs can succeed when the teacher and the student agree on the learning materials, how they are to be used, and the expected results. The center has…

Focus group interviews with 18 adults in a weekend degree program produced metaphoric themes. Adult education was compared to "blessing" or "penance"; the primary difference between traditional and adult education was seen as a "juggling act"; and "addiction to learning" appeared to be a motivator. The…

Investigated whether earliest school recollections (ESRs) diagnostic approach can reveal current attitude toward being mainstreamed of violent and assaultive youth. Examined current student behavior assessments of violent and assaultive youth (n=60) who previously attended specialized day-treatment facility to determine mainstreaming success.…

Explored characteristics of 62 adolescent students with marked need for disciplinary crisis intervention who were enrolled in school for severely emotionally disturbed. Results revealed that students with strong crisis intervention needs displayed range of behaviors that could be characterized as disturbance in conduct. Results support use of…

In the United States parents in the typical home-schooling family are well educated, live in small towns or rural areas, and are in professional or skilled occupations. They are motivated by religion, quality of socialization, quality of education, or an alternative life-style. (JOW)

Alternative schools for intermediate grade students should be small and located in a separate building, where students and teachers can develop their own sense of identity. Curricula for high risk students require three components: a vocational orientation, interdisciplinary team projects, and a mastery learning/continuous progress approach.…

Describes Foxfire, a philosophy of education firmly grounded in principles of democratic, experiential education. Discusses how many who attempted to adopt the approach of the Foxfire books without its founding principles obtained traditional, teacher-oriented results. Describes Foxfire's educational practices and major aspects of the staff's work…

This article describes the formation of a small independent British school by parents of students temporarily informally excluded from school because of unhappiness, special need, or personal insecurity. Although the school closed after one year, it did provide respite for children attending it until they were able to go back to mainstream…

Describes alternative high school for at-risk youth that attempts to meet key needs identified by Brendtro, Brokenleg, and Van Brockern (1990): generosity, independence, belonging, and mastery. Notes that needs are addressed within two complementary and well-validated educational frameworks: mastery learning and cooperative learning. Discusses…

Describes the liberal arts program of instruction at Deep Springs College, the campus of which is a working ranch and farm. Students at this college, all academic high achievers, hire and fire staff, select the following year's incoming students, administer the work program, set policy, and enforce it. (LZ)

Troubled children are often described solely in terms of their deficiencies, rather than in terms of their strengths. Educational efforts for these youth are therefore aimed at minimizing weaknesses rather than emphasizing potentials. By presenting troubled youth with tasks not engaging or worthwhile, their ideas of their own failure are…