This paper explores how various perspectives influence inquiry in education. Normative perspectives function as implicit theories of inquiry as a researcher undertakes formal inquiry, and such theories should be acknowledged. Epistemological as well as methodological issues raised by conceiving of such theories as normative rather than merely…

On June 8, 1992, the presidents of the nation's two largest teachers unions joined the directors and presidents of virtually every educational organization, as well as political leaders and executives from Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler in an effort to redesign U.S. schools using the quality principles of W. Edwards Deming. Panelists spent the…

This document is a detailed outline of how to develop long- and short-range plans to fulfill a university mission with the aid of student outcome measures. Step 1 is to define university philosophy and mission so that plans are in accord with it. Step 2 is to analyze internal and external environments in order to be better prepared to respond to…

By adopting a child-centered approach, this book provides a knowledge base and ideas for prospective language arts or combined language arts and reading teachers to engage children in actively thinking and communicating in the classroom. New in the fifth edition of this book are: thematic units that provide models for constructing lessons using…

Foreign Language education will play an important role in the broadening and globalization of higher education for the 21st century. Where else will educators find the tools to "dialog" with--to engage--the "other" as part of the enriching process that accompanies cultural exchange, cultural broadening? This paper sheds light on these issues, and…

Beginning with the question "How would you define wisdom?" interviews with five Native elders focused on Native American world views or philosophies. Four themes emerged: the concept of respect, spirituality as a cultural principle permeating all aspects of life, family relationships including extended family, and various educational…

In 1993, Ambassador Walter Annenberg gave $500 million to address issues of school reform in the United States. A portion of this, known as the Rural Challenge, was dedicated to rural school reform. The four aspects of the Rural Challenge--a grants program, public policy initiative, public engagement effort, and large evaluation--provide a…

Organized as a text for undergraduate and graduate students, this book presents the principles and practices of outdoor leadership in a variety of adventure applications: recreational, educational, developmental, and therapeutic. The introduction addresses the need for effective outdoor leadership and examines current research. Part I,…

This monograph sets forth a theoretical basis for advocating a program of disciplinary arts education as an integral part of general education from kindergarten through grade 12. The title, "The Role of Imagery in Learning," indicates the centrality of aesthetic perception of images. To make the case, it is necessary to show by analysis,…

This book provides a historical overview of illiteracy as a social phenomenon in Belgium, examines public policies, and profiles literacy in the French and Flemish communities. It is organized in six chapters. The first chapter presents an overview of literacy in Belgium, with information on the educational system and cultural diversity. Chapter 2…

This paper emphasizes preservice and inservice teacher education as key to the success of any future educational reform movements. The discussion opens with an overview of three major criticism and reform movements (Post-Progressive--First Conservative Restoration, Humanistic, and Second Conservative Restoration) and secondary movements within…

Maria Montessori's child-centered teaching method came to the United States in 1913 and became linked with an approach to progressive education and child rearing which many Americans considered permissive. During the post-World War II years, advocates of Montessori's method combined this permissive mode with elements of an authoritarian mode to…

This speech addresses the educational needs of gifted children in the context of the existing educational system's philosophy and various reform efforts. It first examines the doctrine of progress, suggesting that important educational change is glacial and much of what purports to be educational change is ephemeral. It claims that the present…

One of nine competency-based training modules for personnel preparation in early childhood special education, this guide focuses on the importance of play and learning in preschool programs. All modules are adaptable for use with a general audience, direct service personnel, or administrators and are based on the following principles of the Ohio…

Part of a six volume series of theme papers commissioned for the National Congress on Catholic schools for the 21st century, November 6-10, 1991, this document contains two of the theme papers. In "The Challenge: To Provide Leadership within Catholic Schools" Karen Ristau examines how leadership is affected by socio-political factors in…