Interviews with urban teachers examined factors they considered fundamental for successful teaching, comparing them with factors identified by student teachers and teacher educators. Experienced teachers indicated that contextual, personal, and pedagogical factors directly affected successful teaching. Across the groups, factors were ranked…

Documents the social and educational aspirations of a growing number of Russian youth. While the children of the former Soviet intelligentsia continue to view education as a prerequisite for success, many young people are willing to leave school for early work experience. Summarizes several surveys concerning social attitudes. (MJP)

Describes programs aimed at reducing the harmful effects of culture shock. Strategies adopted include information giving, cultural sensitization, isomorphic attribution, learning by doing, and social skills training (SST). It is argued that SST is most effective. (Contains 47 references.) (Author)

Examines formal classroom encounters among Laotian refugee and at-risk American students and their teacher in a lower-track literature course and the influences of community context and school culture. Highlights linkages between student perceptions of self-competence and peer worth, the teacher's role in the social organization of work-related…

A study investigated the effects of 1988 changes in Australian economic policy on the reward structures and employment trends, particularly for women, at two Australian universities: Murdoch and Edith Cowan. Results suggest that the new policy has been beneficial for some women, particularly at lower employment levels, but that climbing this more…

Explores commonalities and differences between the Reggio Emilia approach and the developmentally appropriate approach. Points to differences in eight areas: (1) scheduling; (2) grouping children for activities; (3) planning; (4) teacher attitudes; (5) products of work and play; (7) parent conferences; and (8) continuity. (BGC)

Studied working conditions of female domestic workers in Dakar, Senegal, using group interviews. Found that most leave rural families for economic reasons. Village solidarity networks help find work, maintain rural norms, and provide support. Few employers provide written contracts, medical insurance, or adequate wages. Heavy work responsibilities…

Four key factors contributed to program success or failure of five context-specific, school-based teacher preparation programs in Arizona: university personnel, administrative support, flexibility and risk taking, and a focus on quality. Among individual program goals were preparation of special education teachers for elementary and rural Navajo…

Provides a starting place for teachers to learn more about the needs of homeless children, and to incorporate this information into lesson plans. A list of instructional activities and projects gives students, teachers, and parents a compassionate perspective. Includes a list of resources on homelessness and housing around the world. (MJP)

Articulates the ideological and social relationships reinforced by the spatial design of urban children's schools in the early 19th century. Describes the purpose and function of the four types of schools: Sunday, monitorial, infant, and workhouse. Includes numerous illustrations from a variety of sources. (MJP)

The action research case study of the introduction of a Somali refugee child to a London (England) primary school illustrates the importance of finding ways to communicate with the child, who spoke no English, and preparing the other students to accept cultural and linguistic difference. (SLD)

Investigated the relationship among childhood sexual abuse and parental alcoholism, retrospective reports of family functioning, and having had a history of either suicidal ideation or suicide attempts. Subjects (n=420) were drawn from a sample of undergraduate college women. Results indicate the experiences of childhood sexual abuse and parental…

Utilizes one teacher's experience with the storyline technique to present a frank appraisal of the problems and opportunities inherent in this interdisciplinary method. Maintains that a comprehensive rethinking is needed in both the social studies curriculum and teacher education. (MJP)

Discovered that the introduction of piano keyboarding into elementary school music instruction produced a positive effect regarding children's sentiment towards school. No discernible effect was revealed concerning memory skills. Includes statistical data and description of survey questionnaires. (MJP)

A 1996 project examined transition from "special schools" to postsecondary education in the United Kingdom. Students were interviewed concerning their feelings about their change of circumstance and environment, and parents were surveyed about their optimal scenario for the change. A mentoring model to facilitate the transition and a…