Rethinking and expanding the theory of change underlying systems of care are recommended to support development of the knowledge base for understanding what systems of care can be expected to accomplish. Three domains of knowledge are presented as necessary to understanding the relationship between systems-level change and services. (Contains…

Maintains that the science/technology/society movement (STS) is a megatrend in science education. Explains that STS takes a holistic, problem-solving approach toward teaching science, one that is student oriented and much more accessible than traditional approaches. Lists tables that contrast STS and traditional classes. (DB)

Reviews Monsters and Make-Believe Plus, a computer program which supports learners in their quest to become skilled language users. Finds it to be one of the most powerful software programs available to implement a whole language program. (MG)

The crisis in urban public education is a crisis of community. A program of urban school reform founded on community renewal would operate on the following three levels: (1) strengthening schools as community institutions; (2) reorganizing schools as models of community; and (3) making community issues the focus of study in schools. (AF)

A two-year holistic transition training program for persons with learning disabilities in Israel was carried out in a residential setting and included vocational training, activities of daily living, educational activities, and personal adjustment counseling. Follow-up two years after program completion indicated that trainees were generally…

Ernest L. Boyer of the Carnegie Foundation discusses his book "The Basic School" and its connections to American Indian education. Boyer's vision of education stresses the importance of the school community, the sacredness of language, development of a relevant curriculum, and character development. Tiopsa Zina Tribal School (South…

Argues that Western civilization's use of formalism in art criticism is hierarchical and eurocentric. Suggests a more anthropological approach in which production of art is considered in the context of its native culture. Recommends emphasizing the human meaning in art over consideration of form or design. (MJP)

Argues that mathematics education at the preschool and primary level should emphasize child-centered, hands-on, discovery learning, rather than paper-and-pencil tasks that may be too abstract for young children. Suggests that this holistic approach to mathematics fosters concept development and higher order thinking skills on a broad level. (MDM)

Proposes a framework for the practice of democratic decision making by teachers with their students, a framework developed through practice in educational institutions at all levels as well as in the community. The paper presents steps to take in moving toward the democratic ideal in a teacher-with-student class. (SM)

Examines the profession of physical education and what it could become if it embraced somatic work, explaining the basic concepts and processes of somatic education. Somatic education focuses on the interactions of posture, movement, emotion, thought, self-concept, and cultural values. A case study details somatic education in practice. (SM)

Describes a longitudinal research project to introduce holistic-constructivistic pedagogy into bilingual special education classrooms. The authors report the process of teacher change as teachers shifted from a medical model to a contextual-performance model for viewing abilities and disabilities, the changes in students' attitudes toward reading…

Reviews current student-assessment practices, highlighting alternative-assessment definitions and terminology, portfolio-assessment methods, holistic and analytic scoring rubrics, and improved traditional approaches. Educators must reconsider the wisdom of traditional practice, while giving a fair hearing to new approaches. Fundamental changes in…

Benchmarks are designed to demystify educational goals and illuminate the nature of good performance for teachers, students, and parents. Since 1987, the Toronto Board of Education has developed over 100 language and mathematics benchmarks at grades 3, 6, and 8, combining observation with holistic evaluation. Instruction, learning, and evaluation…

Discusses ways to achieve science-technology-society (STS) goals in education, focusing on various technology educators' perspectives on and approaches to STS (understanding the STS relationship, recognizing limitations and usefulness, appreciating intellectual stimuli, understanding applications and decisions, and gaining knowledge and…

Research suggests children have seven distinct intelligences (linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal). The article presents ideas to help elementary teachers develop intelligences in their students. It describes the project approach to providing multiple opportunities for using…