Discusses the use of a mock Canadian city council to help students develop an understanding of their local government and community. Presents a plan for running a mock council, and encourages the use of simulations to enhance the learning experience. (LS)

Examines the loss of an individual's culture while learning the discourse of academia. Suggests writing topics and assignments that not only help students mediate between school and home cultures, but serve as a base for ongoing teacher research into the ways in which home and university cultures interact. (RAE)

Examines the history and importance of parent involvement in schools. Explores ways that urban schools can increase the participation of poor and minority parents. Suggests that schools might develop wider community partnerships. (FMW)

A model of service learning that can serve as a vehicle for teaching, research, and community service is suggested to college faculty. Two such projects are described: a project providing parent education to young families while researching effectiveness of temperament education, and an intergenerational program to determine whether community…

Discusses the need for public education reform; alternative learning environments that allow for experiential, self-paced learning; home schooling; community change, including microcommunities; and a new role for library media specialists as learning resource generalists, to help children and adults meet information needs. (LRW)

These draft standards apply to two- or three-year academic institutions awarding associate degrees or certificates. They are intended to assist in evaluation and in developing learning resources programs. Areas addressed include objectives, organization and administration, staff, budget, user services, collections, and facilities. (Contains nine…

Explains the development of an electronic information network in Maryland called Seymour that offers bibliographic records; full-text databases; community information databases; the ability to request information and materials; local, state, and federal information; and access to the Internet. Policy issues are addressed, including user fees and…

Overviews challenges facing foreign language educators, including lack of a shared framework, dominance of the curriculum by textbooks, inaccurate student placement, yearly repetition of course content, and lack of a consensus on what students should achieve. A new articulation and achievement project has made progress in solving these problems.…

Describes how school districts in Alberta (Canada) are successfully applying principles of total quality management (TQM). Overviews TQM principles and applications in educational settings including creating a constancy of purpose for educational improvement, eliminating student grading, managing a complete system, focusing on stakeholder…

Three computerized adaptive tests (CATs) in mathematics, reading, and writing were administered to 628 community college students to determine whether examinees of different ethnic, gender, ability, and age groups, and computer experience were differentially affected. Some differences exist; however, they do not preclude use of CATs. (SLD)

Describes the New American Schools effort of the New American Schools Development Corporation, a private corporation underwriting development of new educational institutions and the dissemination of innovative ideas. A random sampling of ideas from competing design teams highlights nine program proposals. (SLD)

Discusses faculty professionalism from institutional, scholastic, classroom research, and pedagogical frames of reference. Stresses importance of defining two-year college faculty as professionals. Identifies two barriers to developing faculty culture: treating the above frames of references as mutually exclusive and regarding colleges in terms of…

Discusses shortage of African-American teachers to serve as educational role models and describes New York State's program allowing minority students to enter teacher education programs jointly at two- and four-year institutions. Reviews advantages of joint-enrollment efforts and program characteristics from top proposals submitted to the State…

Describes a one-year ethnographic study of the cultural conflicts evident at an urban community college, providing quotes from interviews that explain tensions between African-American and white students, between African-American students and African-American faculty, and between African-American men and women. (DMM)

Chronicles the confusion and anguish of being caught between traditional Dominican culture and that of modern U.S. society. Relates the author's experiences at a community college, problems in "fitting in," and issues of identity as an immigrant student. (DMM)