Initiatives taken at University of Michigan to address complex nature of diversity and multiculturalism in higher education are described, including a 1988 administrative strategic plan to link academic excellence and social diversity among faculty and students, a plan to improve women's representation among faculty, a longitudinal study of impact…

Trends in postsecondary business education in Poland are examined, drawing on results of recent surveys. Topics addressed include the design and evaluation of programs at different levels, influences of Western programs and pedagogy, demand for business education, and implications for further development of the system. (MSE)

This article discusses problems with traditional top-down methods of disseminating educational innovations to teachers and proposes a conceptual framework in which teachers share a primary role with educational researchers in the development of innovative practices. Focus is on the critical dimensions of teacher change as they participate in the…

Suggests that the communicative approach plays a role in English language teaching in China, but that aspects of this approach must be applied selectively partly because of the educational environment there. The article argues that the approach embodies significant Western culture-specific assumptions regarding learning processes. (15 references)…

The administration of the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa) is committed to increasing the number of black faculty and providing support to reduce their isolation. This year, for the first time, blacks make up 51% of the student population. The new president, a white man, appears to have won strong, broad-based support within the…

Argues that Canadian schools of education must address social justice issues of ethnicity, culture, and racism; model equitable practices in teacher education programs; and promote equity for all students in public schools. Reviews current debate on multicultural and antiracist education, challenges in pursuing equity in education, and promising…

Our national focus on school improvement and its relationship to employment is too narrow for American Indian education. School reform strategies must address the linguistic and sociocultural uniqueness of American Indian learners. Native communities and tribes must partner with schools, guiding education from an Indian perspective and creating a…

Strategies for reforming public education to meet the needs of Native Americans must include holistic, multicultural approaches that infuse indigenous content throughout the curriculum; interpret equal education to mean equal accomplishment, not the same educational treatment; and make teachers culturally responsible. Successes with magnet,…

Appraises five major (nonchampioning) forces pressuring public education: the expanding role of business interests; uneven performance of education's own pressure groups; changing role of cultural conservatism; influence of new-breed information providers; and effects of shifting labels and definitions of political loyalty on needy schools. (MLH)

Accreditation of specialized college programs would be improved by increasing communication and specific reform agendas; longer intervals between comprehensive self-studies; improved site-visit and accreditation-decision teams; greater consistency; opportunities to form new accrediting agencies; easing documentation burdens; measuring quality by…

Describes a partnership to develop youth leaders and interventions to reverse violence and bigotry among youth growing up in a war zone. Details how the Croatian Project REACH (Recreational and Educational Activities for Children's Health) and U.S Children's Village exposed youth from both countries to experiences that helped them examine their…

This case study examined changes in a fifth-grade mathematics classroom in Hong Kong when a video-based story involving mathematics problem solving was introduced. Findings suggest that new technologies not compatible with existing practice may lead to intense reflections about which aspects of the individuals, their environment, and the new…

Describes how applied developmental science (ADS) integrates developmental research with policies and programs promoting positive development or enhancing life chances of vulnerable children and families. Maintains that ADS contributes to social justice, promotes outreach, and serves as a model of how higher education may engage policymakers,…

Canadian teacher unions must become more relevant, both towards their membership ("internal relevance") and towards society at large ("external relevance"). Issues of internal relevance are membership, responsiveness, teacher voice, leadership development, and the changing nature of teacher work. Issues of external relevance…

Notes that a "staggering number" of struggling readers in the United States are African American children and other students of color. Outlines characteristics of successful schools for struggling readers, and details effective teaching techniques. Notes the importance of leadership, high expectations, culturally appropriate teaching…