Reports on a 1988 survey of adolescents from two San Francisco Bay Area schools that tested an index of the frequency with which parents actively mediate children's interpretations of television messages. The predictive ability of the index for skepticism, media use, and involvement in public affairs was tested; and several family communication…

Describes the Yale School Development Program, which has been successful in improving urban schools because of its emphasis on systemic change, child development, and parent involvement. The program is a nine-element process model of three mechanisms, three operations, and three guidelines that replaces traditional organization and management.…

Interviews Marian Wright Edelman about her work with the Children's Defense Fund and her book "The Measure of Our Success." The importance of having a sense that the world can be better is emphasized. Children must be given a voice and a way to participate in solving society's problems. (SLD)

To motivate students toward higher achievement and encourage mingling across racial and socioeconomic groups, a team of Florida seventh-grade teachers developed a plan featuring a rotating schedule, enrichment classes for all students, long time-blocks two days weekly, and heterogeneous cohesive groups. The program exposed all students to a…

Observations of classes taught by a male and a female professor, interviews, and document analysis examined forms of resistance and reproduction in professors' and students' roles. Students benefiting from interlocking systems of privilege have more power in the classroom. Male professor exerted more control than the female. Middle-aged women with…

A survey of 40 dental schools investigated policies and practices concerning full-time faculty becoming students in their school's degree or certificate program as a means of professional development. Widely varying policies and practices were found. Use of sabbatical leave or leaves of absence during the study period was common. (MSE)

Interviews with 536 Arizona families of special-needs infants and toddlers examined nature and type of services received; satisfaction with services; parental involvement in service delivery; and needs for additional services, financial help, information, and emotional support. Parents' greatest concern was access to information. Rural-urban…

Describes the evolution of the "Equals" and "Family Math" programs at the University of California (Berkeley) from a single-focus equity program to a multiple focus. Explains specifics of each program's philosophy, methods, and impacts, and describes the program characteristics that enable students to succeed in mathematics.…

Describes a variety of writing activities and community service projects designed to develop middle school students' civic identity and pride in being citizens of the state of Kentucky. Includes teaching ideas and a project evaluation. (PRA)

Compares responses of teachers participating in curriculum committees at societal and institutional levels of educational system. Differences found in teachers' motivations to join committees and in satisfactions or dissatisfactions they derived from participation. Suggests that curriculum development changes as it becomes farther removed from…

Systems thinking involves seeing relationships between the parts to the whole within the school improvement effort. After providing the key principles and examples of systems thinking, the article emphasizes the importance of staff development, highlighting experiences at a Wellesley (Massachusetts) middle school and an Alaskan high school. (SM)

Contends that the end of the Cold War does not necessarily mean the triumph of democracy. Presents contemporary interpretations of the democratic concepts of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Asserts that responsible action in a democratic society requires continued reflection about values education. (CFR)

This interview with George J. Funario, Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Higher Education Commission, examines the roles that states can play in reforming higher education, drawing on Maryland's experience. The importance of educating minority group members is emphasized, and the role of the federal government in making a financial commitment is…

Explores developments in the United Kingdom with regard to the recent endorsement in the national curriculum of the importance of speaking and listening skills (oracy). Observations in six inner-city London schools reflect ambiguities in policy and practice. The results of an oracy policy regarding assessment are still unclear. (SLD)

Presents tips to help teachers develop and manage valid, truly authentic assessments that are linked to daily class instruction, discussing how to refine assessments, get parents involved, encourage self-assessment, and make criteria clear. A model developmental reading scale for bringing more uniformity to reading assessment is presented. (SM)