In Israeli school culture, the school class is a social group in which "gibush" or cohesion is cultivated. A highly cohesive class has clearly demarcated boundaries, has high integration, is internally undifferentiated, and presupposes particular conditions for formation. The gibush model reflects an ideal of communal participation and…

An examination of cultural pluralism in Israeli society and education questions Israel's commitment to cultural pluralism and argues that the guiding ideology of Israel's educational system emphasizes nation building. The proposed integrative national and cultural agenda ignores Israeli Palestinians and favors cultures and traditions of Jews of…

A woman law school faculty member at Brigham Young University (Utah) discusses the teaching of feminist legal theory to conservative, traditional, and religious students. The discussion looks at the conservative university community, characteristics of enrolled students, objectives of the course, and the class format and teaching approach. (MSE)

Characterizes the social, political, and economic climate underlying educational dilemmas and visions in Czechoslovakia and other Eastern European countries after the fall of communism. Discusses the debate between state control of education and liberal educational approaches facing the area and stresses the importance of teachers in the shaping…

Twenty-four third-grade students were randomly assigned to groups receiving explanations of distinctions between environmental facts and opinions or explanations as well as specific examples. Students receiving specific examples scored significantly higher on distinguishing fact and opinion. Gender did not affect performance. (MDH)

Students (n=143) at the Indiana University School of Medicine were surveyed--before and after pharmacology laboratory experiences using dogs--for their assessments of educational and moral aspects of animal laboratories. Most students indicated that the laboratory experiences did not involve immoral use of animals and were preferable to…

Describes reactions by college students to an antihomophobic classroom pedagogy. Asserts that homosexual and bisexual students need to see themselves represented in the classroom. Presents a 30-item selected bibliography addressing this issue. (CFR)

Preparing teachers for cultural diversity is complex. Teachers need multiple opportunities to construct understandings of the effect of values on constructed reality, dominant forces in society, political and economic contexts for decision making, and the impact of culture. Constructivist orientations provide foundations for teacher education that…

An extensive questionnaire was given to students at a Canadian regional high school serving urban and rural students, who responded to questions about their occupational aspirations and expectations, their values, the obstacles that might prevent them from realizing their aspirations, and the people who supported their aspirations. The results are…

Examines the lives of counterculture students. Focuses on students' beliefs and values, preferences and politics, and how such factors relate to their educational experience. Although such students express discomfiture with a structured, traditional college education, most of them enjoy the intellectual stimulation of the academic environment.…

Provides data on the construct validity of a newly developed Communalism Scale (CS) by exploring its relationship with indexes of collectivistic and individualistic tendencies. Results from 86 college students show that the CS scores were negatively correlated with individualistic attitudes. Positive relationships were found between communalism…

Reviews theory and research on the relationship between classroom climate and citizenship outcomes in elementary settings. Compares democratic learning environments described by three studies. Suggests that free expression, peer interaction in cooperative activities, respect for diverse viewpoints, and student participation in decision making…

Presents a literary review of the positions held concerning a central population issue, development within the ecosphere. Explores concerns posed by contemporary academic economists and ecologists. Suggests that demographers see the issue as an important area of research needing the expertise of several disciplines. (143 references) (MCO)

Reports excerpts from a discussion meeting held by a scientific council on problems of youth policy in the USSR in 1990. Discusses the problems of restructuring the Soviet education system in keeping with the goals of Perestroika. Includes comments on socialism, curriculum, and the goals of the education system. (DK)

Discusses multicultural education and critiques some approaches to multiculturalism taken by the political Left. Argues for the "human values" that underpin democracy and their presence in all cultures. Examines the cultural and political history of the Chinese and the legacy of the Chinese philosopher, Confucius, and his thought. (JB)