A study compared perceptions of pharmacy students in three different cultures (Malaysia, Thailand, United States) concerning pharmacist counseling about contraceptive use for family planning and AIDS prevention. Results indicate students in each culture, by gender, had different comfort levels with such counseling, implying need for different…

Four national educational reform initiatives (national goals for schools, core curriculum, national student examination system, and teacher certification processes) are examined and policy implications discussed. It is argued that, although these initiatives are progressing, they will not succeed without sustained commitment on the parts of the…

Discussion of the results of an international survey of computer use in education focuses on three areas: (1) the degree to which female role models are offered to girls; (2) ways school policies take gender equity issues into account; and (3) the extent to which gender equity issues are dealt with in the curriculum. (Contains 18 references.) (LRW)

Gender differences in English proficiency as a function of testing method were examined by comparing the scores of a representative sample of Swedish secondary school students who took the national English test. It found that boys performed better than girls on the multiple-choice part, whereas girls did better on the free-response part that…

A study investigated variables affecting college-bound students' decisions to apply to a college after requesting that college entrance examination scores be sent to it. Results indicate that fit between the student's preferences and institutional characteristics had the most substantial impact, especially college location and test scores at or…

Discussion of scientific journals and the use of electronic tools focuses on a study in New Zealand that investigated the feasibility of CD-ROM instead of printed journals for scientific publishing. Highlights include software choice; prototype publication; sampling method; document delivery; credibility and durability; and future possibilities.…

Discussion of performance assessment focuses on a study that was part of the International Evaluation of Achievement of computer education that tested students in grades 8 and 11 on word processing performance tasks. Results are examined to determine the useability, reliability, and validity of the process. (eight references) (LRW)

Analyzes students' conscious second-language learning activity and language problems students themselves recognize. Students answered a questionnaire regarding their learning habits. Successful and less successful language learners did not differ from each other in their general approach to learning. High achievers excelled at studying alone. (23…

Compares public library use surveys conducted in 1948 by the American Library Association and in 1991 by the National Center for Education Statistics. Results indicate that public library use by both adults and children has risen dramatically, but library use by minorities and low income adults has changed very little. (KRN)

Examines gender differences in satisfaction with the host society in a sample of 1,384 Indochinese refugees, ages 17 to 73 years. Satisfaction measurements in terms of housing, neighborhood, and life reveal significant differences influenced by age, gender, and education level. Implications for practice and future research are discussed. (GLR)

Lessons are drawn from the educational reforms of the nineteenth century for the implementation of the attainment targets of the proposed National Curriculum for England and Wales. Parallels with reform efforts in England and the United States reveal the antecedents of the attainment targets. (SLD)

Characteristics of motivated and demotivated students in humanities and high and low technical secondary education were studied for 1,824 Belgian students in the eighth, tenth, or twelfth grade. Subgroups based on motivation were formed using student self-ratings, teacher ratings, and scores on predictor measures. (SLD)

Describes how the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) and several other databases were added to the online public access catalog at Indiana State University, and explores impacts of enhancing access in this manner at several academic libraries. Telecommunications and software design consideration are also discussed, together with…

The Parent as a Teacher Inventory was used to determine expectations of Anglo and Hispanic parents whose children were underrepresented in gifted education programs. Parent responses to the inventory, and a parent education curriculum that was developed based on the responses, are discussed. (BG)

Examines differences between maternal verbal teaching interactions that facilitate adult transfer of task responsibility as demonstrated by children's improved task performance after a teaching session among low- and high-risk mother-child dyads. (Author/BB)