"Rural Sociology: A Field of Basic and Applied Research" was the theme of the 1977 annual meeting. Participants at the convention heard 50 reports in 14 sessions, as well as five special panels and two special sessions. Most of the papers, research reports and essays presented in the sessions are included in this document and serve as…

This paper presents a discussion of the effect of the physical environment on children receiving day care services. Various dimensions of the physical environment which may affect the well-being of infants, preschool and school age children in group or family day care settings are examined. The focus is on the overall well-being and development of…

A research project in nine Iowa counties attempted to show local level decision makers how to use social indicator data to improve quality of life and increase accountability in policy making. Tools presented were descriptive social reporting (a mechanism for organizing descriptive, time series, social indicator data) and systematic needs…

This report is an outline of a system of indicators for evaluating performance of educational systems and grows out of OECD work on social indicators. Existing statistical data on education consists of "inputs". The desire expressed in this study, however, is to measure "outputs" or actual system performance. Whenever a…

Defends the study of literature in the elementary and secondary grades for its ability to help students think both creatively and critically. Provides objectives for teaching literature such as development of perception, expression, cognitive style, aesthetic awareness, moral values, and writing ability. (SRT)

The Policy Research Working Paper Series disseminates the findings of work in progress to encourage the exchange of ideas about development issues. Breaking the inter-generational transmission of poverty requires far-reaching actions in the education sector. Widespread poverty affects both students' performance and their availability to attend…

This teaching guide accompanies "The Environmental Data Book," published by the World Bank. Environmental and development statistics are presented for discussion and analysis. Indicators of environmental quality and economic development are defined with accompanying charts and maps. Activities accompany each lesson, along with a worksheet at the…

The primary purpose of this study is to develop composite variables for several sets of items included in the Second and Third Follow-Up Questionnaires of the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 (NLS). The need for this study is derived from the following considerations: (1) reduction of data dimensions, and (2) provision…

Maintains that discriminations against children have increased recently, despite Convention on the Rights of the Child. Examines present condition of childhood in different countries of the ex-Communist bloc and Western world, particularly the levels of well-being and poverty. Attempts to understand the events that have marked reforms of the last…

Considers school violence prevention programs as well as the role students can play in international efforts to prevent war. Examines the peace and global education efforts of nongovernmental organizations. Finds a pertinent example in the Philippines where students declared their school a "zone of peace." (MJP)

Maintains that a weakening of spiritual myths as the transmitter of communal values places a greater responsibility on the home and school to create these values. Asserts that these values can be defined through patterns of social action and interaction, and reinforced through the general curriculum. (MJP)

Argues that moral education needs to move beyond the development of individual character and assume a leadership position in the creation of better societies and a better world. Includes examples of innovative schools that have spearheaded this approach. Discusses intersections between moral education and the social sciences. (MJP)

Identifies authenticity as the idea that there exists an innate and knowable self. Discusses this concept and how it relates to social, philosophical, and religious thought. Compares the Western concept of self, autonomous and individualistic, with the more interdependent and enigmatic Eastern ideal. (MJP)

Presents an overview of hearing aid fitting procedures and auditory rehabilitation for hearing-impaired children in Japan. Reviews issues of audiological management in Japanese schools and discusses two kinds of simplified auditory tests. Finally, highlights several controversial issues surrounding different perspectives and methods of education…

Profiles the English Midlands city of Leicester, an industrial center with a growing immigrant and minority population. Discusses the city government's response to problems concerning jobs, housing, and a racist backlash. The outlook is optimistic as the minority citizens assume new roles in the social and economic community. (MJP)