Graded school concept, born of administrative practicality and puritanical traditions, has promulgated its lockstep curriculum, its simplistic child development assumptions, and its sexist, isolationist teaching methods since the mid-1800s. Most natural learning environment calls for heterogeneous multiage groupings, within which other groupings…

Examines the relationship between parental involvement and alternative education programs and reports results of a highly successful parent education program (Active Parenting) in Lima, Ohio. This video-based discussion program evinced high participant satisfaction, specifically encouraged 15 positive parenting behaviors, and discouraged some…

When a seventh grade social studies class was redesigned in a workshop format, the teacher's role became less autocratic, the class atmosphere became more relaxed, and students asked more open-ended questions. Both teacher and students could learn from each other through the process of inquiry. (SK)

Literacy in francophone Africa, where literacy is still a privilege, is reviewed in terms of the complex linguistic situation, effects of population change, concepts and definitions of literacy, promotion of literacy in adult nonformal settings (e.g., African language literacy materials, multilingual settings). (23 references) (LB)

Compared motivation of eighth grade students (n=99) in traditional and nontraditional (nongraded, self-selection) schools. Results showed higher levels of intrinsic motivation in academic learning for students from humanistic school setting than for boys and girls from a more structured environment. (ABL)

Discusses how a conceptual framework describing four traditions of practice in U.S. teacher education (academic, social efficacy, developmentalist, and social reconstructionist) can be used to explain approaches in individual teacher education programs. The University of Wisconsin's program illustrates how the traditions illuminate the commitments…

An art program at an alternative elementary school in Acton, Massachusetts, revolves around the belief that every person has an inner sense of self that should provide the direction for learning. The educational environment is designed to stimulate individuals to find their own personal direction. (SK)

Both the state and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are instrumental in adult education in Latin America. However, NGOs fear being coopted by the state, and the state fears losing social control. Improving relations between the two sectors is vital to the progress of adult education. (SK)

The Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Agricultural Sciences is a summer enrichment residence program for outstanding high school sophomores and juniors, designed to acquaint youth with scientific and professional opportunities and challenge them to use their intellects. This article describes the application process, faculty and staff,…

A nontraditional Master's degree program in educational administration at South Dakota State University was designed to encourage participation by women and minorities. Twenty-four women completed the two-year program, which featured weekend classes, reduced tuition, and special courses focusing on instructional leadership, administrative vision,…

Adult education in such settings as higher education, workplaces, and community-based organizations demand new approaches to accountability. The process involves answering such questions as What is learning? Who are the stakeholders? When should accountability be examined? For what are program managers accountable? and What tools and strategies…

Describes Empire State College, a four-year Arts and Science institution in New York that provides distance education for mainly adult students who need an alternative to traditional higher education. Topics include mentors, student needs, access to libraries, the use of technology, and social services. (LRW)

Describes the development of distance learning technologies at California's De Anza College. Argues that avenues to distance learning will continue to proliferate and that direct competition from commercial providers, unencumbered by faculty and administrative bureaucracy, will be formidable. (JDI)

Examines the role and influence of one Los Angeles (California) school where the approach to education begins with the community. Efforts to embrace a nontraditional educational model in this urban school are described and analyzed. The 350 students at this high school participate in community service while receiving a full range of academic…

Defines a distributed course as one in which instructional events that have traditionally occurred in the classroom are made available to either distant or local learners. Discusses the challenges for distributed course designers and presents a taxonomy for distributed course design. Addresses design, development, and evaluation processes and…