Current syllabi and textbooks, in trying to cover every important idea, trivialize them all. The Coalition of Essential Schools believes that students will learn more if teachers are allowed to cover less. The advantages of a slower, thought-provoking curriculum, and recommendations for designing one, are provided. (BJV)

Provides an overview of Japan's educational system, covering such topics as its examination system, curriculum, extracurricular activities, and typical school day schedule. Includes information on the role of the family in education, teacher training, and teaching conditions. (GEA)

The author explains how she converted her adult medical office assistant program to an open-entry, competency-based curriculum. She describes a typical class period. (CH)

Using several charts, this article compares strengths and weaknesses of Japanese junior high schools and American middle schools. Each system could learn something from the other. As an adaptive, reactive culture, Japan might benefit from a more flexible, diversified school atmosphere, while an individualistic, pluralistic United States might gain…

This summary of the rationale and processes for developing a bachelor's level course to educate generic information professionals focuses on the development of a disciplinary sequence in information science. Subject matter and teaching methods are described. A structural overview of the bachelor's degree is presented. (MBR)

Describes four opportunities for stabilizing community college course offerings in literature: (1) including literature in composition programs; (2) restricting literature offerings to foundations courses; (3) placing literature courses away from the main campus; and (4) cooperating with secondary school English departments. (DMM)

In framework of a century of formal U.S. library education, this essay synthesizes key concepts that have dominated library school curricula with special attention to idea of "core," growing conflict between library and information science, and actual methodology of teaching as described and experienced by members of profession. (57…

Presents findings from an empirical study comparing the status of the German minority in the Italian South Tyrol and the Croatian minority in the Austrian Burgenland. The article analyzes observations of actual language use in schools and compares school authorities, curricula, and employment opportunities of the two minorities. (SED)

Reports on writing skills business executives consider important areas of focus in business correspondence: logic, clarity, and brevity instead of grammar, diction, and paragraph structure. (PD)

Curriculum deliberation is an approach to constructing, operationalizing, and evaluating curricula. The essay describes the deliberative format, discusses habits that impede deliberation, and makes suggestions for the amelioration of these habits. (RM)

Discusses how instruction in computer literacy will fit into the present school curriculum (particularly science) and the nature of an adequate scope and sequence for this subject area. A model K-12 computer literacy curriculum is presented with a corresponding scope and sequence chart. (JN)

The beginning of the school year is an excellent time for teachers to reevaluate their curriculum and think about what children really need to know. Suggestions for developing innovative and creative teaching techniques in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies are discussed. (DF)

The structure of the law school curriculum is a product of the structure of the law school faculty, which may explain why the law school curriculum neither has changed very much over the years, despite repeated calls for reform, nor will change much in the future. (MSE)

Three approaches to language curriculum design are outlined: structural, functional, and experiential. A three-level model is proposed for a second language curriculum that integrates the three approaches and their goals into an adaptable curriculum meeting varied needs with consistent methodology and theory. Both linear and cyclical applications…

From a study of the use of undergraduate dissertation writing at four United Kingdom institutions it is determined that this technique is of little value to students and requires administrative control disproportionate to the educational benefits. Issues of curriculum design, teaching styles, and timing of dissertation work are discussed. (MSE)