Practical problems with multilevel techniques are discussed. These problems relate to terminology, computer programs employing different algorithms, and interpretations of the coefficients in either one or two steps. The usefulness of hierarchical linear models (HLMs) in common situations in educational research is explored. While elegant, HLMs…

Examines diverse family structures of school-age children, based on Census Bureau studies of marital structure and children's living arrangements. Defines nuclear, blended, and extended families. The most striking trend is from two-parent to one-parent families. Educators should not categorize children based on superficial knowledge about their…

Presents three experiments exploring aspects of the greenhouse effect. Topics and discussion includes radiation in energy transfer, emissivity and absorptivity, the irrelevance of reflectivity, a digression on insulators and convection, climate change, and radiative energy balance. (MCO)

Challenges the assertion that education is necessarily political. Suggests that discussion of education often focuses on its trappings, rather than the overall subject. Argues that education neither produces good workers and enterprising citizens nor autonomous, free thinking students who love learning. Concludes that such goals are best achieved…

This article examines the definition of preschool gifted education in Louisiana, describes a publicly funded preschool gifted program, and discusses issues pertaining to a parent evaluation of the program. The evaluation covered: certification and teacher effectiveness, instruction, inservice education, special education paperwork and program…

Distinguishes between education and employer-sponsored training in terms of process, purpose, and providers. Concludes that work-related training and postsecondary education are cognates within the classification education, and equating their learning outcomes is appropriate. (SK)

Demoralized by disappearing dollars and omission of the arts from national education goals, the arts education community has formed a consortium of professional organizations to write standards and address related issues, such as balance among the arts and multicultural and technological concerns. To anchor the arts firmly in the curriculum, they…

Examines the curricular change process, presenting results of an ethnographic study of an elementary school moving from a teacher-directed curriculum toward a textbook-based, standardized curriculum. Focuses on students' (negative) reactions to changes. Educators must question any curriculum that limits teachers' opportunities to make coursework…

Introduces design, integrated with systems thinking, as a necessary if not sufficient means for meeting the challenge of how to create or recreate organizations and institutions. The limits of problem-solving strategies when applied to complex organizational change, the designer's role, and the creative process of design are discussed. (Contains…

Explicates the principles underlying whole-language theory and practice to reduce misunderstandings and misapplications and to help teachers of students with learning disabilities provide rich literacy learning experiences for their students. (RS)

Counselors in overseas schools have a unique responsibility to develop a school profile with cultural clarity. Besides describing the campus physical environment, the academic program, and the student body, the school profile should convey the school's cultural context--the languages spoken and the percentages of American students, host country…

Educators must realize that multiculturalism and multilingualism are not merely fashionable terms but everyday classroom realities. Teachers cannot always revamp curricula, but they can challenge their cultural assumptions and limited world views and seek ways to connect to other cultures. Multicultural education, cultural learning, and…

Study guides can be used to accommodate diverse academic needs of students who are at risk or exceptional. This article offers a definition of study guides and outlines techniques for developing study guides, which should focus on content, learning objectives, vocabulary, learning activities, questions, and evaluation. (JDD)

The relationship between partial word knowledge and instruction was investigated for 132 college students. When correct usage could be chosen on the basis of general semantic constraints, subjects did well and instruction had no effect. However, studying dictionary definitions did increase the amount of specific information available in memory.…

The literacy field hopes that literacy will be considered separately from the S-2 Omnibus Education Bill in Congress. Problems remain in the definitions of literacy, establishment of a National Institute for Literacy, lack of investment in teacher training and technology, and accountability. (SK)