Student satisfaction with 8 methods of collecting college student evaluations of instruction was studied by asking students in 32 classes (ranging from 20 to 110 students) to rate the methods. Students prefer interview methods at midterm followed by instructor reaction to traditional approaches such as standardized end-of-course rating forms. (SLD)

Advocates the study of student demand, understandings, and attitudes regarding general education. Cites lack of leadership and organizational support for general education, faculty inappropriately trained and inadequately rewarded for teaching/advising in general education, and institutional inertia. Supports assessment of students' cognitive…

Of 453 Donovan Scholars (persons over 65 taking tuition-free college classes), 294 respondents indicated that, despite high satisfaction, few potential enrollees know about the program and only a small number of highly educated and personally supported individuals feel comfortable enrolling. Psychological barriers appear to need as much attention…

Perceptions and practices of in-service activities for teachers were compared for American public school superintendents from 184 districts and 90 chief educational officers in English schools. Teacher involvement in planning for in-service education was likely to be greater in the United States than in England. (SLD)

Describes a study to determine the correspondence between community values about education/school and the nature of the actual structures that exist in the Catholic schools in the suburban Midwest community that was surveyed. Compares community attitudes and school structures concerning educational goals, curriculum content, educational support,…

A survey of 346 faculty in 38 graduate social-work programs explored their educational orientations (mentor vs. master teacher) and their educational philosophies. Results indicated faculty tended toward a master-teaching approach in imparting essential knowledge and empowering students, but incorporated elements from the mentoring approach.…

Synthesizes findings of four case studies that examine technology-rich environments and how they might promote democratic learning. Discusses experiences of each via a matrix of four domains of democratic learning environments (power and voice; beliefs about knowledge and learning; modes of thinking and expression; and perspective on instructional…

Examines key educational policies and practices that limit opportunities for bilingual education teachers to obtain academic language proficiency in Spanish. Bilingual-education teacher training cannot make up for ground lost by educators who lack prior attainment of math and science Spanish-language skills. Effective Spanish-language competency…

Discusses the Freedom Forum poll on the First Amendment that was conducted by telephone between July 17 and August 1, 1997. Expounds that the Freedom Forum intended to depict the opinions within the United States concerning the First Amendment and to trace changes in opinion. Describes the results in detail. (CMK)

The University of New Mexico provided extracurricular activities in space science education to predominantly Hispanic middle-school students participating in New Mexico MESA (Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement). After exposure to the space science program, students displayed significantly more positive attitudes toward science and…

Explores the many roles that the theater played within the settlement houses in Toronto (Canada) from 1910 to 1930. Demonstrates that settlement workers in Toronto attempted to use the power of the theater to influence, inspire, and inform both their clientele and the broader community. (CMK)

Presents the findings of a survey of deaf and hearing-impaired Russian students in the upper grades that investigates the ways in which these two groups deal with their hearing impairment in both school and out-of-school worlds. Focuses on the value orientations and life plans of the students including their family, professional, and educational…

Interviews with rural Norwegian youth about wolves and related environmental controversies found a range of viewpoints related to education and social class. The results reveal a conflict between dominant and subordinate forms of knowledge and between abstraction-oriented and production-oriented cultural forms. Modernization is removing many rural…

A positive public relations campaign specific to special education can stimulate teacher cooperation and principal support, improve community perceptions of special education students, and increase hiring of special education students by local businesses. A monthly calendar of suggested activities and guidelines for starting a public relations…

A survey of 269 undergraduate students at the University of Manitoba found that students' perceptions of their social capital resources had direct and indirect effects on their developing self-concepts and their educational achievement. Students' perceptions of support, particularly peer support, were an important resource, positively related to…