Viewing teaching as an art, it is suggested that teachers should be prepared as artists are prepared. A model is presented for a preservice professional program which develops a pridefully creative outlook, an understanding of the humanities, a knowledge of pedagogy, and a personal artistic teaching style. (JD)

This article seeks to identify the contemporary challenge of community and sketches a strategy schools might adopt in response. Discussion includes the value of bonding within a particular school, and activities that encourage bonding by students with the external community. (IAH)

Describes the aims of the external degree program at the University of Zambia and the courses available to external-degree students. Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of integrating the external-degree program into the academic functions of a conventional university, arguing that an alternative model is not practical at present. (GEA)

Examines the provisions made by the Swedish government for the education of immigrants or ethnic minorities. Discussing the program in the city of Skovde, the author outlines the guiding principles and organization for preschool, compulsory school, upper-secondary school, and programs outside the school system. Evaluates the program and its…

Dynamic teachers and principals have gone past the slogans of reform to achieve outstanding results with at-risk students, and their pioneering work points to promising directions for others. (Author/TE)

Post-Fordism and globalization are interrelated contemporary features of social and economic development. Individual, social, and educational issues concerned with globalization are discussed in relation to the emerging post-Fordism forms and practices of open and distance education, and to the cross-cultural contexts involved. (Author/AEF)

The John Tracy Clinic (California) offers developmentally sequenced correspondence courses in English and Spanish for parents of children with hearing impairments. The objective of the free courses, which cover child development and communication skills from birth through five years, is to empower parents by offering them hope, guidance, and…

Describes a study allowing parents involved in an alternative-education plan to express opinions about the ideal educational environment for their children. The meaning of parents' involvement experiences can be expressed in two broad themes: maintaining and creating connections; and acknowledging a changing and developing self. Parents who…

A residential ninth-grade program in the Australian bush strives to develop initiative, personal integrity, respect for nature, leadership, self-esteem, and sense of community by combining academic study with a strong outdoor education program, replacing competitive sports with cooperative activities, requiring students to be responsible for…

This study examined attitudes toward physical fitness of parents who home school their children, noting the relationship with children's physical activity levels. Questionnaires (11% returned) indicated parents felt positively about fitness, but children were not physically active. A low correlation existed between mothers' attitudes and…

Presents findings from the 18th annual survey of school board members on the topic of their attitudes toward alternative education programs for students. Alternatives to traditional schooling exist for troubled students within the broad public school structure, and almost 9 out of 10 board members say such specialized services should be provided.…

Discusses the elements of Montessori education that distinguish it from traditional education for older children and from much current group experience for young children. Focuses on the respect for each child as a unique individual with unique interests and learning styles and on how Montessori education responds to that individuality to…

The article describes how one Hawaiian couple came to the decision to home school their son, explaining the educational habits and patterns they established in their lives from the time he was an infant that eventually led into home preschool education. (SM)

Presents planning lessons from the Community Involved Charter School, a Jefferson County (Colorado) grassroots initiative. Planners should seek community involvement in envisioning the school; define roles for students, parents, teachers, and community members; decide how to administer the school; decide on specifics, such as school size; and seek…

Reports on an innovative use of voice mail to support students studying law through distance education. Advantages include cost effectiveness, minimal isolation, and means for spontaneity. Possible uses include covering developments in dynamic disciplines after cut-off time, extending "shelf-life" of printed materials, and providing…