Volunteering is defined and discussed, and the new volunteer on the international scene, the "citizen diplomat," is profiled. The National Council for Community Services to International Visitors (CONSERV), a national program that coordinates services at the community level with national "sending" agencies, is described. (MLW)

The Republic of China has based its economic and cultural progress on a strong national education program stressing quality. AGB visitors to Taiwanese universities noted Spartan surroundings, well-equipped libraries and labs, and students intent on learning. (Author/MLW)

Eight articles on international educational indicators (IEIs) are presented. Topics include functions and limitations of IEIs; science and math indicators and national welfare; higher education indicators; cost and resource indicators; and national perspectives from the United States, Australia, France, and England and Wales. (TJH)

A national center for health professions education research is proposed to facilitate well-funded, peer-reviewed, and academically credible research in health professions education. The center's goal would be to allow for the testing of models to provide education grounded in sound methodology and content. (Author/MSE)

Discusses the Resourced Open Learning Facility (ROLF), which was developed by the U.K. Skills Training Agency (STA) as a means of delivering off-the-job skill training for the unemployed. Employment training is discussed and an evaluation of ROLF is described, including management issues and types of trainees. (Author/LRW)

Clinical trials and access to therapeutic drugs pose dilemmas for researchers, physicians, and AIDS patients. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recognizing the need for greater access to drugs by a broader spectrum of the infected population, is establishing the Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS. (Author/MLW)

Discusses cooperative efforts between research organizations and libraries to create a national information network. Topics discussed include the Linked System Project (LSP); technical processing versus reference and research functions; Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model; the National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET); and…

Examines "The National Curriculum 5-16: A Consultation Document" that became law in 1988. Outlines the document's content and argues that the document offers solutions to various problems without demonstrating how the solutions address the problems. Raises some issues about the ownership and control of educational institutions. (GG)

Finds that school agricultural "production units," established in Zambia in 1975, have taught useful occupational skills but have had little success in meeting the objectives of linking vocational theory and practice, inculcating desirable attitudes to manual work, teaching management and marketing skills, or producing income for…

A French program to train graduate assistants for college-level teaching is described. The project is designed to meet projected faculty needs and compensate for changes in the recruiting system. About 4,500 graduate teaching assistants are currently in the university system. Each receives a stipend, attends a training course, and has teaching…

Considers the origins and historical development of videotex over three decades, comparing various nationally sponsored and private systems in Europe and North America. Discusses problems, including the determination of transmission channels, display devices, standards, marketing strategies, and social, political, and economic elements in the…

Reviews the national social studies standards developed and disseminated by the National Council for the Social Studies. Discusses 3 purposes and 10 operating assumptions of the standards. Responds to six questions that examine the standards within the classroom context. (CFR)

Asserts that the thematic approach used in the National Council for the Social Studies national standards marks a fresh era of thought in social studies instruction. Maintains that the strands can serve as a framework for social studies curriculum development and effective classroom learning experiences. (CFR)

Maintains that the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) curriculum standards provide an opportunity to integrate technology into a thematic curriculum approach. Includes an annotated bibliography of 19 recommended items of educational technology categorized by 10 of the NCSS curriculum themes. (CFR)

Maintains that over 50 years ago the American Historical Association began to reshape history and social education. Asserts that only recently have professional historians begun to become reinvolved in history instruction in the schools. Describes the efforts to create National History Standards in both world and U.S. history. (CFR)