Longitudinal study of 54 rural Swazi elementary students found that a child's progression to grade 5 without grade repetition was predicted by 8 factors together: gender, preschool school-preparedness scores, father presence or absence, time and help available for homework, parent reading, child being read to at home, and regular breakfast.…

The nonmetropolitan dropout rate fell sharply, 1975-93, closing the nonmetro-metro gap. National longitudinal data on dropout risk factors related to family, community, and local labor market reveal that low parental education and income are the greatest barriers to reducing rural dropouts. High school students had unrealistic educational and…

Rural high school graduates are less likely to graduate from college than their urban counterparts, mostly because they are less likely to attend college. Half of rural college attendees leave home and do not return by age 25. Those that do return are drawn largely by home ties and intervening life choices rather than local job opportunities.…

Presents the findings of an ethnolinguistic study conducted in northeastern England on children's language behavior during their first term in school. The article combines two theoretical perspectives in an analytical description of this behavior presented in three levels of data analysis. (23 references) (Author/CK)

Investigated associations between parents' reported coercion and negotiation with their children, children's self-reported conflict strategies with peers, and their behavioral competence rated by both parents. Results obtained through observation, interviews, and questionnaires included a concurrent correlation between parents' use of coercion and…

Eight preschoolers with moderate developmental disabilities were paired with typically developing peers who had been taught simple strategies to facilitate communicative attempts. Consistent improvements in social interaction by trained peers and target children were demonstrated. These improvements generalized when trained peers were assigned to…

Discusses adult education in Australian aboriginal communities, highlighting the contested place of English in curriculum and assessment and advocating a more complex understanding of these communities' dynamism. Raises questions of culture, identity, and colonialism while focusing on the teacher's role in critical literacy programs. (Eight…

Major common language problems arising in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet bloc are outlined, as identified in recent literature, and pressing language-related issues in specific former Soviet states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan,…

Presents excerpts from two interviews, conducted in 1979 and 1995, with John Coe, a British primary education specialist and advocate for child-centered education. As primary education has veered toward a national curriculum and assessments, school choice, locally managed schools, and a strong, politically charged accountability element, teachers…

Discusses the reaction of Vietnamese students to the spontaneous interaction and exchange that occurs in US classrooms. The article argues that teachers' lack of knowledge about their immigrant students' learning styles and strategies may result in teachers making inaccurate judgments about these students' classroom interaction behavior. (two…

Examines how "big picture" scenarios of world futures in the new millennium that frame policymakers' views have an impact on language, culture, and education. Some of these scenarios predict homogenization, whereas others foretell conflict. In this changing scenario, the social and political effects of language planning and English as a…

A three-stage model of academic probation that addresses cognitive, affective, behavioral, and environmental factors is presented. Stages examine precursors to probation (factors inhibiting student performance), reactions to being placed on probation, and coping strategies that predict long-term consequences. A key assumption is that student…

This article reviews 32 epidemiological studies of pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) published between 1966-2001. The design and sample characteristics of the surveys are described. Surveys have suggested that the rate for all forms of PDDs are around 30/10,000, but more recent surveys suggest it might be as high as 60/10,000. (Contains…

Examines whether native speakers of German have different attitudes toward their own culture and other cultures than native speakers of English who teach German as a second language. Discusses the extent personal background influences classroom language teaching. Questions the meaning of the concept of citizenship in teachers' personal and…

Discusses research on Catholic pillarization. Argues that some European countries are internally divided into blocks of different religions and political persuasions. Outlines the success of the pillars in the areas of education and healthcare. Stresses that other social sectors which function impersonally are not influenced by the pillars. (CAJ)