This is the fifth in a series of reports summarizing expenditures for public and private school library resources in the United States. Highlights include use of federal funds; collection size and local expenditures; budgets; microcomputer resources; library media center staffing; the use of technology; network participation; and instructional…

Trends in college foreign language education include growth in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction, greater emphasis on spoken language, increased use of technology, more intensive instruction, integration with other academic programs, new kinds of academic appointments, and revised promotion and tenure requirements for language…

Provides an overview of the IRIS (Intelligent Reference Information System) project at the University of Houston (Texas) libraries; describes CD-ROM database performance tests, user reactions to the CD-ROM network, and a survey of users of an expert system to recommend reference sources; and reports on current activities and future plans.…

Describes instructional materials developed by the Close Up Foundation for use in its various programs. Asserts that the books, videotapes, and simulations meet student and teacher needs for relevant, high-interest, instructional materials. Concludes with a description of the development process used by the foundation. (CFR)

Contends that women leaders, especially women who were warriors, have been ignored by history textbooks. Describes historical research on the roles of women in military history. Presents the story of three women who became significant military leaders during the medieval period. (CFR)

Asserts that teaching social studies in the primary grades can be an exhilarating experience for teachers and encourages long-term interest in investigating the world among students. Maintains that cooperative learning, student research activities, integration of children's literature, writing and the arts, and the use of educational technology…

Looks at the trend toward the early-start semester calendar in American colleges and universities, and examines administrative, pedagogical, and fiscal considerations in making the change from a quarter system. Topics discussed include the impact on the curriculum and instruction, summer session, access, enrollment management, and institutional…

A review of research on second-language writing instruction looks at four research approaches: the language and culture students bring with them to the classroom; contexts in which teaching/learning take place; the shape of the language curriculum; and academic writing and English for academic purposes. Attention is given to English as a Second…

Discusses the challenge of inclusivity in collaborative research projects. Presents researchers' motivations for more inclusive research methods and reflects on the difficulties and rewards they face. Describes the literacy research project and inclusivity issues among program administrators, teachers, and students. (34 citations) (VWC)

Traces the history of the interdisciplinary approach to art education in Hungary. Begins with the acceptance of the Kodaly method in the 1970s during the communist regime. Continues with Hungarian independence and the adoption of the National Core Curriculum in the early 1990s. Includes a concise explanation of Hungary's educational system. (MJP)

Criticizes the notion that small British schools are incapable of adjusting to demands for more specialized instruction and other innovations. Although earlier research suggested this, recent data reveals a high degree of confidence and competence ratings among smaller schools. Many schools have adopted curriculum support strategies. (MJP)

Presents the Virtual Reference Desk project, its activities, and a proposed information system architecture to build a human intermediated network of expertise and experience. The project seeks to study, support, and improve current K-12 digital reference services, as well as to build a foundation for a national cooperative digital reference…

The Early Childhood Comprehensive Technology System (ECCTS) was a 3-year collaborative project designed to implement and maintain a comprehensive technology system through on-going training, follow-up and technical support for teachers, team-based technology assessment for children with moderate to severe disabilities, technology integration into…

A positive change in the learning environment in schools is visible through ongoing professional development of teachers and administrators. Monitoring the professional development program and providing support to teachers and administrators to transfer their learnings into the school environment ensures some measures of quality. Quality issues…

Over the past decade there has been an explosion in the provision of computing facilities in schools for student use. However, there is concern that the development of these facilities has often given little regard to the ergonomics of the design for use by children, particularly adolescents. This paper reports on a study that investigated the…