Two generally unexamined premises about education that have contributed to recent disappointment in the outcomes of education are examined: (1) that learning is always pleasurable; and (2) that no difference exists between formal and experiential learning. (MSE)

Discusses the impact of changing national administrations on the educational systems of Europe, the resistance to change of each country's attitudes toward education, and distinctive features of the "educational cultures" of European countries. (PGD)

Academics and athletics must be distinguished, and athletes' roles at various levels understood and accepted. Each institution sets its own priorities for sports, and the athletes represent the institution. Three negative elements of professional sports must be controlled on campuses: pressured coaching, recruiting, and the encroachment of…

Whatever their preference in schools--Fundamental, Alternative, or something between--residents of this California city have it at hand. (Editor)

Parental choice of school is still a contentious issue, often cutting across political or educational loyalties. Here a detailed description of the pioneering voucher experiment in Alum Rock, California is provided. (Editor/RK)

This paper examines the current state of outdoor education in primary schools in England and Wales and presents arguments to counter current constraints on its provision. Within the national curriculum, outdoor education has been interpreted in the sense of "outdoor and adventurous activities" and, as a result of recent pruning, is now…

The "deep structure of schooling" is composed of values and assumptions about education widely shared throughout our society. These values and assumptions are shaped by conventional wisdom, tradition, vested interests, and institutional inertia. Americans expect similarities in classrooms, policies, programs, pedagogy, resource allocation,…

This study examined the effects of career testing and interpretation intervention on the retention and academic standing of first-year college students. A total of 78 mostly first-year students enrolled in 5 sections of an orientation course at the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) during the fall 1994 semester completed the Strong…

This study used the National Association for the Education of Young Children's (NAEYC) "Developmentally Appropriate Practices" (1987) guidelines to determine continuity across the primary grades with regard to developmentally appropriate practices (DAPs). It also sought to determine if there was a significant relationship among administrators,…

This report summarizes the activities of a day-long health focus forum held by the State Office of Head Start in Maine. Speakers and discussion groups focused on: (1) the importance of comprehensive early childhood health programs and the need for collaboration among health professionals; (2) the role of school health programs in meeting national…

Until the 1960s the rule of science was a characteristic of modernity in academic life. Since then, a postmodern trend has been running counter to a faith in a universal and objective scientific methodology. Postmodernists have taught us that there are no single truths, that there are many valuable perspectives, and that the line between the…

This report summarizes key findings from a 2001 nationwide poll regarding support and need for after-school programs. Participating in the poll were 800 adults over age 18 who are registered to vote. The findings included the following: (1) 94 percent of respondents agreed that there is a need for some type of organized activity or place where…

This paper explores a common assumption: that education must be made an open, interconnected chain of learning opportunities, available to people from cradle to grave, i.e., a "learning society." Learning is examined in the following three distinct, but interrelated, domains: the domain of work; the domain of the community; and the…

This book contains 28 short anecdotes, stories, poems, student accounts and inspirational items from vocational teachers and students. The items are grouped under the following headings: (1) "The Dog Did It!"; (2) "Sources of Inspiration"; (3) "Student Successes"; (4) "In Their Own Words"; (5) "Life in the Classroom"; and (6) "The Poets' Corner."…