This paper presents a framework for conceptualizing and analyzing the problems of educating rural youth for mathematical knowledge, and for improving both rural school mathematics and the conduct of research in rural environments. The background for this framework includes discussion of widespread rural poverty, the lack of a commonly accepted…

Homeschooling enjoys increasing recognition as a respectable alternative to public and private school education. State homeschooling populations are doubling every 3 years. With personal computers and the Internet, homeschooling families have access to a wealth of educational materials at all grade levels and for many populations. Homeschooling…

This study examined faculty support for programs that aid minority engineering students. A survey was designed and mailed to faculty at 112 randomly-selected engineering schools. A total of 91 faculty from 30 schools completed the survey. The study found that although there was general support for minority engineering programs (MEPs), there was…

Three years of helping faculty members at a state university learn computing technology yielded the following lessons: (1) for faculty members, the ownership of a computer is an emotional event during which computers are viewed successively as glorified typewriters, status symbols, and tools; (2) even to highly knowledgeable individuals, learning…

This booklet lists ways that parents; employers; teachers, administrators, and principals; and grandparents, neighbors, and concerned citizens can help America reach the National Educational Goals. First, the booklet summarizes the National Educational Goals in the areas of school readiness; school completion; student achievement and citizenship;…

This collection of writings and speeches focuses on the current state of higher education in the United States, based largely on the experience of the president of the George Washington University (GWU) for the past 10 years. Individual selections focus on teaching effectiveness and the need for academic change; searching for perspective in a…

Discussed the difficulties women must face first, in obtaining an education, and second, in securing employment. Especially lacking are positions for women in senior posts and other jobs with major responsibilty. (RK)

Public schools in America have been the arena in which our society has fought over such values as private versus public support, sectarian versus nonsectarian control, elitist or democratic control, and integration versus segregation. Progressive people should support publicly funded and administered schools, thus supporting democratic values in…

The case for the deterioration of educational quality should not rest on student aptitude test scores; indeed, these tests are a large part of the problem. College admission standards harm secondary schools by standardizing curriculum, encouraging teaching to tests, and focusing students' energy on high grade point averages. (PP)

Various indices of public support for the schools--school finance voting patterns, public opinion polls, and court litigation--are analyzed to document current trends. Two possible scenarios are forecast for the future, based on socioeconomic and demographic patterns. The need for future government support is stressed. (PP)

Compares American educational problems to Japan's universally high literacy and achievement rate, positing that Japan's success is related to cultural homogeneity, strong school discipline, and strong motivation to succeed at all levels. Suggests that some Japanese educational strategies can be adopted in American schools, despite great…

The current attempts of religious and political conservatives to influence public education is placed in a wider historical context. The impact of religious groups and their ideas on the evolution of the public schools in America is traced from colonial times to the present. (PP)

R. S. Peters' conception of the ideal educated person is based on a male cognitive perspective and ignores women's needs. A gender-sensitive ideal is needed which acknowledges the values and traits women bring to society. (PP)

Studied attitudes of Hispanic secondary school students and their parents (N=500) toward higher education. Includes questionnaire, written in Spanish, which was distributed in three community centers. Found 70 percent of the students and 80 percent of the parents indicated financial problems prevented college attendance but that they did value…

A study of 520 prospective and practicing teachers indicated that many showed no strong orientation or affiliation in their personal educational beliefs and that those who did were attracted mainly to behaviourism or romanticism. Many considered current educational practice as either control-oriented or affiliated with behaviourism. (CM)