Two surveys involving approximately 8,000 university and polytechnic institute graduates in Germany and the United Kingdom were conducted to analyze employment; income; position and status; work assignments; gender differences; and influence of type of institution, subject of study, and socioeconomic background. Experiences of British and German…

Describes limitations of a Western, individualistic perspective on psychological theory. Summarizes research and theory regarding how personality may be shaped differentially by individualistic and collectivist cultures. Describes strategies for teaching about the impact of culture on personality. (CFR)

Despite the success of Japan's educational system in terms of academic achievement, a closer examination reveals a rigid system that discourages student expression and creativity, stresses conformity, ignores differences in student abilities, and supports an intensively competitive entrance system for high school and college. Discusses negative…

Discusses social change and educational realities in South Africa, noting the relatively poor qualifications of black teachers. The paper also examines South African teacher training models and presents teacher training models suitable for developing countries. (SM)

A review of research on prevention of alcohol abuse among American Indians found that they experience many alcohol-related health problems. Indians have earlier age of first involvement with alcohol, more frequent drinking, and more negative consequences than non-Indians. Prevention programs must consider American Indian heterogeneity and cultural…

Examines cultural factors associated with pregnancy among Hispanic adolescents, highlighting policy areas within the health care delivery system that must be addressed. The paper discusses migratory patterns and service needs, acculturation and pregnancy, valuing of children, access to health services, the role of the health practitioner, and…

A model of public opinion on government spending for child care was developed and examined. Respondents' views were depicted as a function of symbolic politics, self-interest, and demographic and control variables. Results suggest that symbolic politics were more revealing than self-interest factors in divining public opinion. (RJM)

A survey of 85 early childhood special educators and 88 Head Start educators in five southern states examined the adequacy of their preservice and inservice preparation to work with children, ages 3 through 5, who were prenatally exposed to cocaine. Identification methods, service patterns, preservice and inservice opportunities, and additional…

The University of California Board of Regents' decision to end racial preferences in hiring, contracting, and admissions represents the most dramatic scaling-back of affirmative action policy in American higher education. The highly controversial decision is accompanied by a policy of increased outreach to low-income and otherwise disadvantaged…

The effects of personal and teaching efficacy on teachers' use of curriculum-based measurement (CBM) and on student achievement were studied. Nineteen special education teachers each monitored 2 elementary school students with mild disabilities over 16 weeks in math computation using CBM. Teachers with high personal and teaching efficacy more…

This article discusses four solution-focused assumptions in providing early intervention services to children with speech-language disabilities and their families. These assumptions are: a polyocular perspective promotes successful family participation in treatment, a family's story contains resources for change, successful experiences promote…

Describes Chile's "900 Schools Program," designed to raise achievement levels of poor 1st to 4th graders in reading, writing, and mathematics. Reviews key program efforts related to building improvements, textbooks and other learning resources, and workshops for teachers and students. Provides results from a 1990-91 assessment,…

Two teacher educators interviewed 10 elementary teachers regarding their belief systems about the teaching/learning process, examining the extent to which their instruction reflected their beliefs and noting challenges to implementing instructional strategies that complemented their philosophies. Results indicated that teachers' theoretical…

Examines the sources of miscommunication in a videotaped tutoring session involving a native speaker of Korean and a native speaker of English. Analysis revealed an initial nonmutual interpretation of participant role and status, resulting from the Korean tutor's transfer of a Korean conversational routine involving polite speaker modesty to the…

Compares the relative plausibility of family processes and schooling opportunities as factors associated with sex and motherhood in poor communities. Suggests that young women who delayed onset of sexual activity, and who stayed at school even as teen mothers, had more positive perceptions of being students and of receiving family encouragement…