Forty teachers were surveyed in order to determine their level of support for the official curriculum of Sweden, Laroplan 69. Laroplan 69 puts the student at the center of schooling and promotes an egalitarian view of social relationships. Teachers who favored the official curriculum shared socialist beliefs; those who were least sympathetic held…

While fiscal restraint has some negative impact, it provides an opportunity to bring greater order to schooling. The intellectual function of the school is "the perpetuation, transformation, and generation of knowledge grounded in the disciplines." Implicit in this vision of school is rejection of the function of school as socialization. (BRR)

In recent demands for educational excellence, rightists emphasize norms, standardized quality measures, and selectivity; leftists emphasize equality, justice, and inclusion. Liberal response should address state and civic needs, and equity of opportunity. This requires universal education in core subjects; practices and standards that nurture,…

Explains how the Suzuki Method introduces young Japanese children to learning situations in structured ways that develop their control of learning behavior earlier than is typical in the West. (HOD)

Explores several European models of early childhood education that have influenced day care in North America, noting such influences as religion, educational philosophy, and concepts appropriate to a child's cognitive development. (HOD)

To validate a previous measure of teachers' educational beliefs which yielded four factors, a new, longer measure was administered to 320 elementary school teachers. The results yielded two dimensions, namely student-centered and directive teaching. (Author/GDC)

Gives the viewpoints of a graduate student in experiential education on topics such as reasons for choosing a career in experiential education, academic status of the field, prospects for employment and salary, and personal and political philosophy related to this career choice. (JHZ)

Reviews the contributions to Mexican education of Gabino Barredas' positivism between 1867-1898 and the contributions of Jose Vasconcelos during the 1920s. Discusses the secondary curriculum reforms of Barreda's era and the vocational education and the education for women and adults during the Vasconcelos era. (SB)

A recent national conference demonstrated that the Reagan administration's educational reform proposals conceive a narrow economic role for education, deliberately ignoring questions of social inequality. Yet critics have failed to question this hidden agenda. Future debate must acknowledge the link between education and democracy. (MCG)

Major studies of elementary school science programs have shown that they are extremely weak, leading to potentially serious consequences for the development of future scientists and technologists. Nine questions are provided for board members to ask and answer to help develop strong elementary science programs. (MD)

A study of medical students' perceptions of their learning environments revealed (1) numerous differences on some dimensions, including vocational vs. scientific orientation, extracurricular involvement, and perceived course intensiveness and (2) only slight differences in administrative flexibility, emphasis on concept vs. fact, and course…

Shows how conceptions of literacy in reading have changed and what sorts of instruction best suit each conception. Identifies four conceptions of literacy: (1) decoding, (2) structural comprehension, (3) elaborative comprehension, and (4) critical thinking, and argues that each is best allied with a certain form of instruction. (FL)

Explores roles of computer technology and real world experiences in the learning process. Encourages teaching of critical viewing skills and other aspects of visual fluency. Forecasts changes in the educational system to accommodate emerging technologies and new ways of thinking and interacting with the world. (LFL)

Compares and contrasts the descriptions of American schools and recommendations for school reform in major reports of the 1970s and 1980s and discusses a number of educational issues, including curriculum, teachers and teaching, school administration, academic standards, school climate and environment, and education in and out of school. (JBM)

Discusses effects adoption of the Paideia Proposal would have on teaching of the arts in Tennessee. (MH)