Japanese schools succeed in promoting student achievement because they meet children's human needs, thereby fostering strong, positive emotional bonds between child and school. Several factors make Japanese schools extraordinarily responsive, including their whole-child, values-rich pedagogy; caring, supportive community; group orientation; and…

Examines institutional and political practices that give rise to concerns that Asian Americans are an invisible minority in higher education. Data from interviews with Asian American students at 12 colleges suggest that the problem of their invisibility in higher education is changing for the better, though institutional neglect is still…

Discusses the nature of the school council in the Soviet Union during Perestroika. Suggests that the councils have yet to find their place in the social and political changes of democratization. Attributes the low effectiveness of the school councils to student and parent passivity. (DK)

Interviews with 7- to 11-year-old Scottish and French children indicated that formal education provided the context for the development of children's beliefs about, and representations of, institutional authority. The emergence of these representations was influenced by the children's social class and culture. (BC)

This article discusses the importance of the relationships between day care center directors and their staff; between day care programs and parents, children, and communities; and among day care staff members. (BC)

Outlines some of the ways urban conditions affect urban schools and the implications for urban focused staff development. It is argued that these conditions limit the effectiveness of traditional models and approaches to staff development, requiring staff developers to include in their focus broad, systematic changes. (GLR)

Reports on two studies that found differences among principals in schools that differed in student achievement levels. Two approaches for assessing the performance of principals are examined. One approach includes rationally segmented steps; the other focuses on programs as preliminarily identifiable steps. Study summaries are provided. (GLR)

Uses qualitative research methods (interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis) to determine whether a rural midwestern high school's restructuring process serves particular values and silences others. Findings showed lack of consideration for social power and student identity issues. Basic restructuring elements (outcome-based…

In-depth interviews were conducted with 178 general track students in 3 Florida countywide school districts on students' perceptions of school policies and practices. Results indicated that graduation rates could be improved if schools initiated processes to solicit feedback regularly from students regarding the dimensions of schooling directly…

Student threats of violence should be taken seriously. Although zero-tolerance policies are gaining popularity, mental-health experts urge a more deliberative approach that explores student motives and metes out punishment on a more individualized basis. Fostering strong staff-student relationships and communication can effectively deter violence.…

Fifty-two students with learning disabilities, behavior disorders, or mild mental retardation answered questions relating to special education. Students indicated the best part of school was socializing with peers, a particular class or teacher, and sports, whereas the worst part was being in particular classes, dealing with…

Discusses ways that school districts can celebrate national School Building Day that channel students, parents, local professionals, business leaders, and legislators to consider the role the school building plays in the educational process. Also discussed are ways to increase school safety and security. (GR)

Emphasizes the need to accommodate growing cultural and educational diversity among first-year college students. Describes several programs designed to address freshmen needs including a two-day orientation program; a mentoring scheme; and a course unit to improve teamwork and communication skills, increase awareness of university facilities, and…

Describes family writing workshops as a way to share with the families how writing is used in high school classroom, as they brainstorm memories, do 20 minutes of free writing on a memory from their list, share their writing, and write closing letters. Discusses benefits and the impact of these workshops and offers guidelines. (SR)

Prevention and developmental sciences have many complementary goals and much to gain by collaboration. The article introduces this special issue, which includes four empirical articles using growth modeling techniques (hierarchical linear modeling, latent growth curve analyses) to examine direct and indirect effects of theory-based, longitudinal…