Education & Pedagogy

Discusses religious music as an extraordinarily rich resource supplementing multicultural education. Considers the divisive and problematic nature of some religious music, exemplified by a trio of Jewish students refusal to sing "St. John's Passion" because of alleged antisemitism in the text. Presents a concise overview of cultural theories concerning music. (MJP)

Explores alternative arrangements for adult access to higher education in England and Wales, France, and Germany, and examines the impact of such arrangements on the relationship between the state and higher education. Draws on Weiler's theory of compensatory legitimation to explain why the noise about such policy innovations is louder than the numbers warrant. Contains 32 references. (Author/SV)

This report details changes and potential changes in Medicare Graduate Medical Education reimbursement, which encompasses both Medicare Direct Graduate Medical Education payments and Medical Indirect Medical Education payments, and reimbursement for residency training costs. Emphasis is placed on the implications for postdoctoral dental education and eligibility of residents trained in dental school clinics. (MSE)

The origins, changes, and trends in institutional structures within secondary education in Central and Eastern Europe are examined and compared for 14 countries. Issues discussed include formulation of government policies, compulsory school attendance, articulation with elementary and lower secondary education, transition from compulsory education to labor market participation, and restructuring strategies. (MSE)

In the context of Australian education, the increasing emphasis on outcomes assessment, especially measurable performance, is discussed and some of the concepts involved in this performance orientation are examined. The shift in emphasis from inputs to outcomes, difficulty in operationalizing desirable outcomes, issues specific to compulsory and higher education, and the notion of generic competencies are explored. (MSE)

Special education doctoral programs in 44 universities were surveyed to assess program characteristics, student characteristics, and student financial support. Results indicate that both numbers of focus areas of doctoral studies (such as early childhood, severe/multiple disabilities, and learning disabilities) and sources of student support have increased over time, with most student support provided by federal grants. (Author/PB)

Asserts that the parameters and objectives of citizenship education should be expanded to incorporate multicultural perspectives. Criticizes traditional citizenship education for promoting limited objectives reflecting the status quo. Maintains that changing demographics and an emphasis on critical thinking necessitate a broader curriculum. (MJP)

Discusses the organization and implementation of youth education and work programs by the occupying allies in post- World War II Germany. Initial efforts at youth denazification were divided between punitive and rehabilitative approaches. Support from German churches favored rehabilitation efforts. (MJP)

Examines the art education classes conducted via radio and correspondence by the Longreach School of Distance Education in Queensland, Australia. Consisting mostly of cattle and sheep ranches, Queensland is marked by vast distances and low population. Considers the ways that this isolation has shaped the character of distance visual arts education. (MJP)

Reports on a survey that investigated inservice teacher education (K-12). Results indicate that professional development in environmental education is dominated by activity-based curricula, is primarily science-oriented rather than interdisciplinary, and is concerned more with environmental content than educational context. Argues that the environmental education field needs to reevaluate its approach to teacher education. Contains 36 references. (JRH)

Through a critique of two essays, the problem of marginalization of outdoor education by the broader educational community is examined. Although it is acknowledged that British government cutbacks hurt the delivery of outdoor education, it is suggested that the outdoor education community risk a complete reappraisal of outdoor education claims from a contemporary socio-cultural perspective. (TD)

A discussion of the debate over articulation between secondary and higher education looks at the changes in compulsory education since the nineteenth century, their effects on access to higher education, the resulting process of educational diversification, and the effects of economic change and technological advancement on the relationship between educational levels. (MSE)

Strategies are suggested to better prepare physical and occupational therapists to work in early childhood special education settings. Recommendations are made for improving preservice preparation to encourage interest in working with children, for attracting competent therapists to early childhood programs, and for providing on-the-job training and continuing education opportunities. (Author/JDD)

The Tuba City Boarding School, a western Navajo Agency facility in northern Arizona, initiated a summer program that provided instruction to special education students and special education knowledge and skills for regular teachers who had exceptional students mainstreamed into their classrooms. The program resulted in improved teacher-student relationships and student achievement. (JHZ)

Examines reasons preventing effective policymaking and genuine reform in a number of countries. Measures policy change in education against stages in coming to terms with a new issue: new knowledge, awareness, understanding, creation of new principles, implementation of new policy, change, and monitoring. (JHZ)