This annual report outlines the mission and goals of New Zealand's Early Childhood Development Unit (ECDU), established in 1989 to promote the development and provision of high quality, accessible, and culturally appropriate educational and developmental facilities and services for families and young children. The report contains a directory of…

Adult literacy is a context-dependent, purposeful, and constantly changing phenomenon. What counts for literacy at the end of the 20th century is not what counted for literacy at the beginning of the century. Literacy is the ability to read, use written information, and write appropriately in a range of contexts. Literacy also includes the…

This annual report outlines the mission and goals of New Zealand's Early Childhood Development Unit (ECDU), established in 1989 to promote the development and provision of high quality, accessible, and culturally appropriate educational and developmental facilities/services for families and young children. The report contains a directory of ECDU…

Charges that colleges have persistently maintained inequalities in their educational structures that affect minority and lower socioeconomic students. Explores the effectiveness of academic improvement programs and suggests strategies to overcome problems in spite of economic conservation, including support groups, peer counseling, and outreach by…

According to National Council for the Social Studies and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development respondents, the issues deemed important--nuclear disarmament, pollution, worldwide wealth and poverty, and alternatives to the U.S. social-economic-political system--are not included in the social studies to the extent they should…

Questions whether career indecision is a natural aspect of college life. Reviews literature suggesting undecided students are anxious, externally controlled, and confused as to their identity. A second article distinguishes between being truly undecided and choosing undecided as an admissions option. (JAC)

A report of a task group on biomedical patents summarizes the context in which technological innovation involving research institutions and industry takes place and the interests and concerns of various participants. Suggestions are given for accommodating these concerns through institutional policies and procedures. (MSE)

Reviews the potential applications for computer methods in gerontological research. Considers the revision of graduate curricula for training research gerontologists to incorporate training in computer methods on a more systematic and detailed basis. Illustrates useful principles for these curriculum modifications. (Author/RC)

Characteristics of and concerns about employment of part-time college faculty are outlined, including increasing use of part-time teachers, tenure, employment security, part-time faculty role in governance, and compensation and fringe benefits. AAUP policy proposals are made reflecting concern about exploitation of part-time faculty and…

This position paper of the Council of Executives of American Residential Schools for the Visually Handicapped calls for stronger emphasis on instruction in literacy skills; individualized selection of the mode of reading, writing, and computing; technical assistance; continuing education; emphasis on literacy skill teaching methodology; and…

This position statement of the Council for Exceptional Children's Division on Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities addresses the importance of equal opportunities for adolescents and young adults with mental retardation and developmental disabilities and the need to support the independent functioning of these individuals. Specific…

Criticizes a World Bank policy paper that views private-industry provision of vocational education as an ideal toward which all countries should move, while ignoring the need for relativism in policy formation. Discusses flexibility in delivery of training, importance of general education, relevance of prevocational education, and equity issues.…

Schools are trying to do too many good things simultaneously. To improve, they need to simplify, reduce the overload on students and staff, and concentrate on a small group of key ideas. Instituting magnet districts, each with a separate theme, might eliminate confusion in trying out new ideas. (SLD)

Presents a policy statement from delegates at the Warwick International Conference of Early Years Education that opposes a British government proposal to introduce a one-year nongraduate teacher training certificate course for nursery nurses and classroom assistants, which will qualify them to teach in infant classes. (BB)

This resolution by the Learning Disabilities Association of America urges the U.S. Department of Education to develop policies supporting life-long learning for adults with learning disabilities; establish funding to support this effort; fund research and dissemination in this area; and establish an interagency task force for adults with learning…