Explores the concept of culture as a factor in the well-being of children. Holding students accountable for their behavior, holding schools accountable for activities and achievements of students, and inducing parents to support their children in school require a cultural change in how we look at schooling. (SLD)

Provides a six-part lesson plan for use in secondary U.S. history classes. Illustrates the development of higher-order reading, writing, and thinking skills in assignments and projects dealing with the history of westward expansion. Specific skills addressed are comparison, contrast, prediction, and evaluation. Recommends cooperative learning…

Asserts that educational researchers have not paid enough attention to issues and problems related to parenting adolescents. Reports on a study of 300 Russian parents and 300 upper-grade students from both rural and urban environments. Summarizes those parenting skills and family practices that appear to be effective. (CFR)

Examines knowledge about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and sexual behavior among 221 midwestern high school and 153 college students. Findings for the 187 males and 187 females studied show that females were more knowledgeable about AIDS and more sexually responsible than males, and AIDS knowledge and level of sexual activity were…

The iconoclastic new governor of Minnesota, Jesse Ventura, is challenging the status quo in higher education. A believer in personal responsibility, he feels students should do more to pay for their education and opposes merit scholarships, but also wants more state money for colleges. Ventura's skepticism about government institutions such as…

An elementary principal believes the universal "right" to a free public-school education has so hamstrung educators that they cannot effectively set or maintain standards. Two case studies involving disruptive students and irresponsible parents illustrate a vicious cycle that only educational vouchers (for full per-pupil amounts) might…

The 1998 study of the K-8 principal shows that the principal's role, revolving about staff supervision, student discipline, marketing, and community/political interactions, has become increasingly diverse and complex. The 42% turnover rate will probably continue into the next decade. Today, 42% of K-8 principals are women, compared to 20% in 1988.…

Maintains that many traditional economics classroom experiments unfairly label, deride, or denigrate altruistic behavior and moral motivation. Describes several in-class experiments, the prisoners' dilemma, dictator games, and double auction experiments and discusses their inherent bias against moral considerations. Examines the ethical problems…

Too many students are being channeled into career fields not demanded by the new economy. Nearly half drop out of college. There is a growing mismatch of skills and well-paying computer-related jobs. Schools must inform students interested in technology of good job opportunities requiring less college preparation. (MLH)

In the U.S. Congress, attention to scientific fraud and misconduct has involved extensive use of oversight authority. Because scientists and universities have failed to respond promptly to calls for self-regulation, Congress has imposed formal regulations and favors increased scrutiny of research and a reassessment of university-government-science…

Implications for future generations of college loan program changes are examined. The idea of who should pay for college is explored from the perspective of economic theory. It is concluded that new loan programs must be monitored carefully so they do not shift the burden of college payment from parents to students. (MSE)

A survey of 94 British higher education institutions investigated the English language support services provided to foreign students. Almost all institutions provided in-session language support, and three-fourths provided presession language courses. However, staffing problems, relationships between academic and language support staff, lack of…

Following the deaths of two elementary school students in bus-related accidents in 1992, the Coroner of Quebec held extensive hearings investigating school bus safety and accident prevention. A subsequent report addressed responsibilities of government and school board officials to correct deficiencies in school bus services and provided…

Describes an interdisciplinary high school course that used contemporary films to illustrate overarching themes in the U.S. experience. Themes included individualism/social responsibility, isolation/internationalism, and liberal/conservative. Emphasis was on conceptual rather than historic relationships (e.g. "Norma Rae" illustrated…

Provides a starting place for teachers to learn more about the needs of homeless children, and to incorporate this information into lesson plans. A list of instructional activities and projects gives students, teachers, and parents a compassionate perspective. Includes a list of resources on homelessness and housing around the world. (MJP)