The National Workplace Literacy Program was very effective for a number of reasons: (1) grants are awarded for 3 years, enabling companies to plan, implement, and evaluate their efforts; (2) the program demanded a partnership of businesses, government, an educational provider, and students/employees; and (3) an educational consortium was…

This paper examines the interests, perceptions, and participation of 16 African American girls in a program designed to improve girls' persistence in science, mathematics, and technology (SMT). The girls are among 33 African American and 73 total original participants in "Rural and Urban Images: Voices of Girls in Science, Mathematics, and…

A study investigated the beliefs about second language learning among nine students of English as a Second Language (all female), and their teacher at Queen Arwa University (Yemen). The survey instrument consisted of five demographic statements and 47 statements concerning language learning in a Likert-type scaled response format. Results indicate…

By discussing commonly held myths and misconceptions about second language learning, this discussion attempts to clarify a number of important issues concerning the ease and rapidity with which children learn a second language, the optimal age at which to begin second language instruction, the importance of the extent of exposure to the second…

Noting that the collective stories of special education have grown out of a tradition that, by its nature tends to perpetuate problems, this book examines such narratives and how they influence thinking and belief about intelligence and learning. It begins by examining how the current story of intelligence developed and illustrates some of the…

This book examines the educational and occupational choices that 1972 high school graduates made over the succeeding 15 years, focusing on how postsecondary education has made a difference in their lives. It uses data collected for the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 (NLS-72), which has tracked a representative sample…

Discussions about rural children at risk of school failure require careful consideration of the economic and cultural contexts in which disadvantaged rural children live. These contexts frequently differ from those found in metropolitan areas. A literature review discusses: (1) images and realities of rural America today; (2) poverty and…

This paper utilizes case study findings of the implementation of educational computing in two schools, one elementary school and one fifth- through sixth-grade school, to reflect on recurrent patterns that account for the slow pace of change in instruction. In particular the study focused on the structural arrangements of teachers' work and the…

This collection presents a sampling of opinions of both proponents and opponents in the school choice debate from a variety of professional perspectives, including academics, bureaucrats, politicians, union leaders, economists, lawyers, parents, and activists. The following essays are included: (1) "School Choice Promotes Educational…

A study was done by student researchers of Latino high school students' perspectives on the Latino dropout problem. Four large, zoned high schools with few selective programs and with substantial numbers of Latinos (23 percent to 43 percent) were selected. Two of these high schools had high and two had low Latino dropout rates. Approximately 60…

This master thesis examines the African American male students in San Bernardino (California) middle schools and high schools in order to compare those findings to findings in the literature and to be able to recommend ways to improve their performance. The study reviews available statistical data about African American male students compiled by…

An assessment was made of the vocational/technical training needs of the four-county Middle Georgia area served by Middle Georgia Technical Institute. Information was obtained through surveys of area businesses and former students of the school, as well as demographic and economic studies. Some of the findings were the following: (1) the…

Grolier Incorporated sponsored a national random-sample survey of 645 parents, aged 18 and over, to discover attitudes about education. The survey paid considerable attention to aspirations of America's nonwhite citizens. Results indicated that parents sought involvement in local schools, cherished the impact of education for life enrichment at…

High rates of failure in secondary level science classes are a problem worldwide. Effective teaching and efficient management of schools requires information as to the causes of failure. One approach to acquiring this information is to improve our understanding of what the students themselves perceive as the causes and antecedents of school…

An assessment of the needs of the economically disadvantaged measured the importance of specific home economics content for high school students. Mailed questionnaires were returned by 470 parents of economically and noneconomically disadvantaged students and representatives from the Nebraska Department of Social Services. The 136 concepts used in…