What is language proficiency? How does it interact with culture, human development, learning, and schooling? How can teachers best support English language learners (ELLs) and speakers of different English dialects? What are the current views of literacy acquisition and best approaches to literacy instruction? And how can assessments eliminate…

Through international comparisons, countries may come to recognize weaknesses in their own systems while identifying strengths that might otherwise be overlooked. The education indicators in this report also show whether variations in educational experiences within a country are unique or whether they mirror differences observed elsewhere. The 41…

This study examined how social interaction norms and promotion and tenure norms effected job satisfaction, focusing on how these variables effected on underrepresented faculty at a predominantly white, four-year, public, urban university. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with a total of nine faculty (white male, white female, and…

This book presents selected historical data focusing on three aspects in the lives of Black women: resilience of Black women and their families; strengths of the Black church and community; and formidable gains made by Black women in the workforce. The status and achievements of Black women professors and scholars in the academy are reviewed, with…

The problems and prospects of American research universities are discussed in light of such issues as shifting federal policies, resource constraints, increased partnerships with business and industry, and the changing needs and perceptions of the larger society. The book captures the collective experiences of 12 former university presidents who…

This study explores two linguistically alternative options--English and Japanese--available to children from bilingual homes, some of which are immigrant families. To measure each child's bilingual verbal ability, the Bilingual Verbal Ability Tests (BVAT) were administered. Interviews with bilingual children's mothers were conducted. The results…

This collection of papers brings together the foremost leading authorities and scholars on the issue of literacy for Latino students. After an "Introduction" (Maria da la Luz Reyes and John J. Halcon), there are 14 chapters in three parts. Part 1, "Sociocultural, Sociohistorical, and Sociopolitical Context of Literacy"…

This book examines changes in the first language (L1) of people who know a second language (L2), seeing L2 users as people who differ from the monolingual in both first and second languages. It describes a range of psychological and linguistic approaches. The 13 chapters include the following: (1) "Introduction: The Changing L1 in the L2…

The reciprocal process of engaging in and learning through work was examined. Reciprocity between how workplaces invite individuals to participate in and learn through work (its invitational qualities) and individuals' engagement in the workplace was proposed as a means of understanding how learning through work proceeds. Workplaces' invitational…

This guide explains how outreach workers of adult, further, and higher education institutions across the United Kingdom can make their outreach activities more effective at widening participation. The following topics are discussed: (1) the need to encourage all groups to participate in learning; (2) the role of outreach in attracting new and…

This "think piece" on ways to increase demand for learning in the United Kingdom is designed to stimulate debate among policy makers and managers in the new learning and skills sector. Section 1, on context, addresses these issues: low skill levels; delivering skills to employers; low adult participation; and negative attitudes. Section…

Collaboration between welfare and workforce development agencies has increased since the implementation of welfare reform. Federal legislation, state and local policy-making environments, and the capacity of potential partners to serve an agency's clients affect agency collaboration. The following broad approaches to collaboration have been…

Noting that children may be affected by environmental contaminants in ways quite different from the way adults are affected, this report is the second on trends in measures reflecting environmental factors that may affect the U.S. children's health and well-being. A list of measures and key findings begins the report, followed by five main…

This paper examines what researchers have learned from teachers about high quality instruction for poor second language learners. It begins by describing the Vygotskian notion of responsivity. Next, it describes specific practices and guidelines, focusing on: differentiating instruction; understanding teachers' responsibility for knowing about…

This series of special reports argues that states must use their newly established, more rigorous standards to (1) provide teachers with the skills and knowledge required to teach to the higher academic standards and (2) provide students with additional opportunities to learn and to achieve the higher standards. This report presents a number of…