Argues that many of the colonial religious and political leaders received their advanced schooling in small academies created and run by schoolmasters trained in Ireland and Scotland. Traces the dissemination of Scots-Irish Enlightenment ideas from these academies through their counterparts in colonial America. (MJP)

Reports on a sociological research project that explored how a new generation of teachers in Greece, Spain, Portugal, England, and Wales understood the concept of citizenship and how gender relates to it. The data suggests that specific gender and cultural groups may posses their own notions of citizenship. (MJP)

Profiles the Community of Caring, a character education program in California that has been in existence for 12 years. Explicates some of the qualities that mark the program as a success. These include longevity, acceptability, comprehensiveness, evaluation, academic improvement, cost-effectiveness, family/community involvement, and professional…

A study compared the characteristics of 473 students with emotional/behavioral disabilities in four sequential special education placements (resource rooms, special classes, special schools, and residential schools). Results found that secondary students in resource rooms exhibited more maladaptive behavior than younger resource room students, and…

Examines the learning benefits of a learner-as-designer environment simulating a real-world multimedia production house and its impact on at-risk high school students. Students showed a significant growth in their value of intrinsic goals and achieved several critical design skills. The experience provided many students, who could not otherwise…

Describes an undergraduate sociology project in which students conducted research at working class and upper-middle class shopping malls. The research focused on social stratification and its manifestation in architectural character, spatial relationships, advertising, and consumer behavior. Includes an appendix that reproduces the fieldwork…

Reviews textbook by Christina Szanton Blanc and others, incorporating viewpoints of students. Analyzes chapters focusing on particular countries, noting that the book sheds light on the old problem of disadvantaged children in postindustrial cities while also shedding new light on the more recent challenge of supporting human development in the…

This article discusses "difficult discourse" or the psychological and sociological difficulties that arise in the conflict of language, ideology, and cultural identity occurring between students/families who are limited English proficient (LEP) and the American mainstream education system. A case example of a fifth-grade Asian student is provided…

Provides middle-level teachers with suggestions for evaluating their classroom environment to guarantee a positive classroom climate that will enable students to develop a positive self-concept and achieve academically. Presents six evaluative factors that address challenge, freedom, respect, warmth, control, and success issues. (SD)

Argues that the school community must create and adhere to policies and practices that respect and support positive peer relationships. Urges promoting a respect for diversity in terms of individuals, as well as providing opportunities for peer affiliation on activity-based and interest-based levels to promote pluralism. (SD)

Proposes teaching only language arts for three years for children from poor families who do not emphasize reading. Suggests methods including teacher and student story telling; story reading; practicing letter formations; singing or talking along with records or videotapes; discussing word meanings; reading poetry; and story writing with corrected…

Discovers distinct differences and a few similarities between men and women concerning values and expectations associated with employment. Women attach greater importance to intrinsic, altruistic, and social rewards. Earlier research suggested significant gender differences regarding extrinsic rewards; however, this category revealed no…

Reviews the research on access to and persistence within higher education among women, minorities, older, and part-time students. Discovers that, although participation among these groups has risen dramatically since 1960, enrollment among blacks and Latinos dropped during the 1980s. Discusses causes and implications of these developments. (MJP)

Praises self-directed English field research projects for being intellectually challenging, highly motivating, and demonstrating a wide range of skills. Recently, however, these projects have resulted in a number of problems including allocation of resources and safety liability. Suggests possible solutions and examines a model field research…

Attempts to correct the limited and stereotypical portrayal of Asian American women found in most histories. Reveals that women often played a more central and active role in the Asian American experience. Discusses little-known facets of this experience (e.g., many immigrants returned home after achieving financial security). (MJP)