Focusing on community colleges' role in enrolling students for their first year of postsecondary education, this monograph provides 17 essays on characteristics, programs, and outcomes related to students' freshman year. The following essays are included: (1) "The Freshman Year Experience: A Philosophy for Higher Education in the New Millennium,"…

This report examines the operation and outcomes of Illinois' welfare programs in fiscal year 1995. The Illinois Department of Public Aid's new emphasis on providing incentives/assistance to move welfare recipients from welfare to work is explained. Next, the following programs are discussed: Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and Job…

Approximately 83,000 students are taking Chinese language instruction in 634 Chinese heritage community language schools in the United States. These schools date to 1848 and serve immigrant groups wishing to preserve their heritage and promote children's ethnic identity. Both for-profit and non-profit Chinese language schools exist, the former…

Latinos are among the nation's most educationally disadvantaged and economically disenfranchised groups. Addressing this reality within the context of a rapidly changing economy and society, this book links educational practice and the structural dimensions that shape institutional life. Sections focus on the political economy of schooling,…

Essays on English in South Africa and its neighboring countries include: "A History of English in South Africa" (Len Lanham); "English in South African Society: A Preliminary Overview" (Bill Branford); "Black English in South Africa" (David Gough); "Language Contact, Transmission, Shift: South African Indian…

These three papers address educational improvement through partnerships between institutions of higher education and elementary/secondary schools. In the first paper, "Partnerships for America's Children," Kati Perry Haycock challenges educators in elementary/secondary schools and in higher education to use partnerships to create a continuum for…

The literature on integration of academic and vocational education was reviewed to identify strategies for school districts planning to integrate their academic and vocational programs. Among the topics examined were the following: reasons for integrating academic and vocational education; meaning of curriculum integration; essential components of…

This paper explores the challenges and opportunities facing libraries as they evolve into the electronic networked environment, and looks at options for libraries in the year 2000 and beyond. The internationally networked environment has fundamentally changed the way in which people acquire and use information resources and services. The paper…

This collection of studies represents collaboration between the Departments of Education of the University of Wales Swansea and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. The papers are as follows: (1) "Analysing the Social Climate of Schools and Classrooms" (Robert W. Bilby); (2) "Reading Whose World?" (Diane Cannon); (3)…

This paper reports on the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) and their progress in implementing their goals as set by the state legislature which concern efforts to assess students knowledge capacity, and skills. In particular the report describes CCHE efforts to monitor institutional implementation efforts, summarizes institutional…

This monograph explores the research findings and experiential knowledge base on toddlers and preschool-age children who were prenatally exposed to alcohol and other drugs. It is designed to influence public policy relating to the needs and early intervention plans for this population, from the medical, child welfare, psychosocial, developmental,…

As part of a symposium on issues related to diversity and American education reform in the context of Goal 3 of the National Education Goals, this paper addresses the diversity of Hispanic populations in the United States and implications for Goal 3. Seven factors to consider in program planning include the following: heterogeneity of the Hispanic…

This kit is designed to help employers understand the range of family needs emerging in the workplace and the numerous options for a company response. An introduction discusses the need for child care services, dependent care problems, and how employers respond and benefit. Sections address the following: selecting the right option in relation to…

This book, intended for anyone involved in the education of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students, explores the social and cultural factors in second language learning in the school setting. The first section examines the situation inside the classroom, looking at the characteristics of ESL learners, factors affecting their academic…

This paper examines the present conditions of gifted education, both nationally and in Ohio. It offers an historical perspective including a 200 year timeline of milestones in the areas of gifted education programs, legal authority, personnel preparation, public awareness, and testing and identification. Federal and Ohio State support of gifted…