Argues that today's political correctness atmosphere is a throwback to attempts made by the Nazis and Stalinists to force society into conformity. Academia, it is claimed, is being forced to conform to gain control of the institution of higher education. It is predicted that this effort will fail. (GR)

Synthesizes the theoretical implications of the studies presented in this issue on social repercussions of a unified Germany, highlighting the effects of economic and political change on women, families, and youth, and their relevance for cultural-historical theories of human development. (JW)

Portrays the changed context of adult education in Central and Eastern Europe; social and individual learning needs such as training, retraining, upgrading, education for responsible citizenship, and adult educator training; and assistance needed from abroad. (SK)

The early 1970s approach to curriculum reform in Hungary under Communism resulted in textbook uniformity (i.e., censorship). Since the mid-1980s, the drive toward a national core curriculum is being opposed by those who are against compulsory subjects, those who want an examination system, and those who want a more conservative approach. (SK)

The politics, economic status, and attitudes toward education among the elderly are examined, with demographic figures showing declining poverty among the elderly, a lack of homogeneity, influence from political organizations, factors influencing their support of education, and the relationship of higher education and the elderly. (DB)

Andragogical activities in Estonia seek the achievement of competence and participation by all adults. Adult education must contribute to the renewal and stabilization of society in the transition to democracy. (SK)

The All-Union Znanie Society, the former USSR's vast adult education organization, will be affected in ways yet undiscovered by the recent political, economic, and social changes. (SK)

Argues that politicians have evoked and reinforced mythic views held by linguistically naive Afrikaaners regarding the origin and elaboration of Afrikaans, focusing on the merits of claims regarding certain linguistic attitudes that reflect an underlying cultural assumption that has remained deeply embedded in public consciousness. (60 references)…

Discusses the history of distance education and provides historical background on the development of the Open Learning Institute in British Columbia. Topics addressed include the environment of British Columbia; expansion of higher education; political influences; and educational influences, including the role of Simon Fraser University. (Contains…

Reviews community development in Latin America (self-help local improvement projects, popular education, nongovernmental organizations). Identifies challenges--increasing the participation of all levels, reorganizing priorities, and supporting the development of economic democracy. (SK)

Assisted by a sophisticated telecommunications system, 90 small, rural Minnesota schools collaborated to influence state legislation regarding funding equity and other issues. Small-school strategies for building political activism include seizing available opportunities, developing leadership capacity, involving political constituents,…

The key question identified is not whether literacy theories, practices, and research recognize variable and contextual aspects of literacy, but whether they consider how this diversity positions learners, teachers, and researchers with respect to existing inequities and relations of domination and subordination. (55 references) (LB)

How African societies interpret science and technology in their daily life situations is discussed. The relationship that exists between socioeconomic and political concerns and the transfer of technology is examined. Suggested is a major reorientation and restructuring of science and technology at the domestic and international levels. (KR)

A high school teacher describes efforts to develop a comprehensive gifted education program while recognizing political realities. The program emphasized use of before-school and after-school periods rather than pull-out, addressed the burdens rather than blessings of high capability, focused on the underachieving gifted, and tried to avoid…

Describes a business consultant's frustrated efforts to participate in the New American Schools Development Corporation's reform process. Instead of encouraging broad participation from business people, social scientists, learning theorists, parents, and others, NASDC confined its chief advisory panel to educators, eschewed creative…