Criticizes England's School Improvement Ideology (SCIMPI) campaign. It argues that SCIMPI underplays the basics of school improvement, ignores school practices that damage racial relations, place more emphasis on individual schools rather than the school system, and has clandestinely embedded within it destructive improvement practices that can…

A South African study explored predictors of success among 18 educationally disadvantaged and 8 advantaged students in a University of Witwatersrand developmental studies program. Results showed academic success was considerably less predictable among disadvantaged students. Universally-used admission criteria were not predictive for either group;…

English-only advocates and bilingual education supporters have generally disregarded the harsh symbolic and material conditions that contribute to the failures of English learners. Interviews with three bilingual and ESL teachers in an urban school describe inadequate facilities and materials, de facto segregation, oppressive teacher attitudes,…

Following the publication of "A Nation at Risk" and other reports calling for major changes in American public education, advocates for poor and minority students produced a subset of reports urging that the disadvantaged not be overlooked in the movement. Reviews and evaluates recent urban education reform reports and legislation. (AF)

Addresses issues in the organization and delivery of preprimary instruction: attendance, the basis for program entry, and the effects of alternative curricula and length of school day on student achievement. Limitations of existing studies are described, and the problem of the increasingly academic nature of preprimary curricula is discussed. (RH)

Edmund W. Gordon, noted for his research on diverse human characteristics and pedagogy related to the education of low-status populations, responds to questions on learning styles and their modification, cultural background, hemispheric dominance, instructional design, teaching methods, matching teacher and student characteristics, and the use of…

Used quantitative and qualitative measures to examine reasons for underachievement or success in 9- to 11-year olds. Found poor handwriting, when stemming from weak fine motor skills and poor eye-hand coordination, marks underachievement. Socioeconomic factors influenced differences in math, but not in reading ability. Academic success was more…

Discusses the need for a differentiated college system to redress educational disparities in South Africa and to enhance equitable access to postsecondary education within a reasonable budget. Considers adequate primary and secondary education the long-term solution, but sees the development of community colleges from existing educational…

Describes past and present economic and social conditions of rural Victoria (Australia). Discusses disadvantage and advantage in rural areas and the need for lifelong learning. Analyzes the policy development of the Country Education Project (CEP) and obstacles to the implementation of the CEP. Outlines challenges and issues for the organization.…

Among 336 students aged 4-8 in 4 rural Australian schools, transient students scored marginally lower on ability tests than their residentially stable peers. However, teachers gave more weight to family background and support, as opposed to disruption of schooling, as influencing children's adjustment to change and school achievement. (LP)

Discusses the problem of educational testing that results in differential educational opportunities for the disadvantaged. It critically examines the proposition that there may be ways to justify the decisions made on the basis of differential test performance that are consistent with the requirements of equality. (GLR)

Compulsory education may be counterproductive for many students. Most children enter school curious/confident/enthusiastic. Successful students exit bored/obedient/passive by simply "getting through," and others perform poorly because of environmental/societal factors. Also, the current emphasis on formalized accountability methods distorts…

The crisis in urban schools involves an exodus of white middle class families from the city or to private schools and a build-up of educationally disadvantaged minority students. Enrollment trends indicate that, unless appropriate action is taken, public schools will further deteriorate as they house fewer middle class students. (SM)

Argues that the writing center is an ideal place to teach and practice a critical and self-reflective form of acculturation, encouraging underprepared students (especially those marginalized by race, class, and ethnicity) to adopt critical consciousness. Discusses acculturation verses the goals of critical consciousness, the traditional writing…

There is a need for a flexible education program with structured curriculum comparable to the formal system designed to meet the needs of children with disabilities. Flexibility in the open learning system in the selection of subject, selection of study center, credit accumulation, evaluation, and certification will encourage children with…