Reviews the main issues and candidates involved in the recent Russian national elections. Although the transition to a market economy has been painful, most Russians still back Boris Yeltsin over Communist party candidate, Gennady Zyuganov. Maintains that grass-roots capitalism and democratic reforms still enjoy popular support. (MJP)

Two studies examined the efficacy of school-based exercise and nutrition programs with parent components. Elementary students participated in exercise and nutrition programs with or without home components. School/home program students scored significantly higher than the groups with no home component on tests of nutrition and fitness knowledge,…

A study examined the influence of cultural programming on American Indian students' school outcomes. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze survey data from 240 urban American Indian students aged 9-18. Cultural programming moderately, and largely indirectly, influenced student outcomes. The strongest predictors of school success were…

The American Association of School Librarians developed ICONnect to provide Internet training to students, library media specialists, and teachers. Components include gopher and Internet sites; online courses; Internet curriculum connections and listservs; grant opportunities; and KidsConnect, a question-answering service for kids. Students…

A four-year intervention targeted students' fruit and vegetable consumption in 12 Archdiocese of New Orleans (Louisiana) high schools. Focus groups shaped program development. Intervention included schoolwide media marketing, food identification, workshops and activities, and parental involvement. Process, outcome, and impact measurements…

Recalls a conflict in an Australian high school where a student committee on social justice was blocked from displaying a poster discussing homophobic attitudes. Uses this incident for a broader discussion of hegemony, school culture, and how social justice initiatives threaten that hegemony. Identifies various restricting school strategies. (MJP)

An experiment in English-as-a-Second-Language pedagogy in a South African university's teacher education program looked at the effects of students' participation in construction of the course syllabus. Results are discussed from three perspectives: learning theory; the culture of learning; and cognitive style. The metaphor of mental…

Summarizes the Report and Recommendations of the Independent South Asian Commission on Poverty Alleviation. Proposes an economic development approach that is based on a people-centered values framework and social mobilization. Profiles a similar program, Janasaviya, pioneered in Sri Lanka in 1989. (MJP)

Defines guided composition as composing music with as many prescribed parameters as a young composer needs. Although the melody should never be proscribed, instructional "controls" can be built into the rhythm, length (and repeats), scale, and clef. Includes excerpts from three K-4 compositions using this technique. (MJP)

The impact of standards-based school reform practices on African American learners, especially those in special and remedial classes, is examined. A rationale is presented for standards-based reform that is culturally responsive and not premised on high-stakes, along with recommendations for school reform that focus on accountability while…

Underscores the importance of history and geography as the content base for K-12 citizenship education. Points out that changing global economic relationships demand adequate geography knowledge levels. Argues that uninspired teaching, rather than time shortages, have produced insufficient content knowledge and performance. Urges social studies…

Presents the IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, and Conclusion) method used to analyze and judge legal cases. Stresses this method's applicability for social studies instruction, stating it helps students assess facts and apply rules to reach and defend conclusions. Provides examples for using the IRAC method in U.S. government and U.S. history units.…

Argues the archaeologist/anthropologist approach motivates and engages students, and teaches interpretive and problem-solving skills. Outlines a role play for intermediate grades in which students observe, describe, and make inferences about the contents of a suitcase packed by someone known to the students. Lists objectives, materials,…

This article is a case study of two distance education graduate courses offered by means of computer-mediated communications at The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Topics discussed include adult learning; student interactions; teacher's roles; student achievement; student attitudes; small groups versus learning partners; and…

Focuses on factors that thwart true school-parent partnerships in the development and education of children. Factors include a family's socioeconomic status, democratic issues, the creation of school systems, gender bias against women, teacher priorities, racism, and classism. (Author/BB)