Education & Pedagogy

This article first summarizes the American literature on applying the market force to education in the movement to give greater power to parents in determining school policy and then applies these concepts to similar trends in the United Kingdom. Issues emerging from interviews with British parents of children with learning difficulties are highlighted. (DB)

Drawing on transition literature of a general nature and specific to language disorders and learning disabilities, this article challenges the efficacy of the existing special education paradigm and contends that changes in institutional policies and practices are needed. The article also discusses roles played by participants in the transition process and differences between secondary and postsecondary school organization. (Author/DB)

Describes a student survey to assess the effectiveness of Niagara County Community College's general education program. Students were asked to assess their own levels of competence in various knowledge and skill areas, and to evaluate the college's contributions to their skill development. Most students felt the college had helped them develop stronger general education competencies. (17 references) (MAB)

Discusses information technology in teacher education, teaching, and learning in elementary and secondary education from 1991-93. Topics addressed include school reform; the effects of information technology on student achievement; networked schools; telecommunications; information services and technology in school library media centers; Internet use; information skills instruction; and future possibilities. (115 references) (LRW)

This study investigated technology use in California special education programs from the perspective of special education program administrators (n=292), special educators routinely using technology (n=302), and special educators not using technology (n=87). All groups, including nonusers, were enthusiastic about the benefits of technology for students with learning disabilities. Usage patterns and factors influencing them were identified. (Author/DB)

The Partnerships Project involves a university, a state department of education, and a university-affiliated program in Illinois working together to implement new personnel standards for early intervention with young children having special needs. Emphasis is on technical assistance functions utilizing extensive peer review. (Author/DB)

Modern geography blends physical and human systems in a study of places, people, and environments and the relationship among them. In 1985, the National Geographic Society established a network of geography education alliances in response to a compelling need for geographic education. The alliance's first priority was building an extensive grass-roots constituency of classroom teachers, professional geographers, state education agencies, and philanthropic institutions. (MLH)

New data from SAT scores, the Second International Assessment of Educational Progress, and other sources show that American public education compares favorably with that of other advanced nations, despite mass media hysteria. Performance levels on academic indicators may reflect demographic factors more strongly than educational system quality. However, school choice results are mixed, and poverty and school unreadiness are increasing. (Contains 87 references.) (MLH)

Investigated the attitudes of 80 first-year teacher education students towards lesbian women, gay men, and "homosexuality and education" using specially constructed scales. Results showed significant differences in the attitudes of male and female students. An attempt to alter the students' views is reported and the scales for measuring the attitudes are included. (Author/JDH)

This study investigates the relationship between the effectiveness of the supervising classroom teacher and the attitudes of the classroom and student teachers. The results indicated that teachers with highly progressive and/or highly traditional attitudes toward education tended to be perceived by student teachers as somewhat less effective supervisors. (Author/JAZ)

Presents an overview of an interactive videodisc courseware project that was designed to train teachers and to develop videodisc courseware modules in physics. Chronicles the progress made, describes the course content, and discusses the ramifications of the participants' attempt to put the training into practice. (ML)

Describes the changes and trends in elementary school science in Great Britain. Discusses the justification for the development of programs at the elementary school level and some of the essentials of good practice. Indicates some of the myths about elementary science and provides guidelines for progressing from elementary to secondary science. (TW)

Diagnostic/prescriptive mathematics was examined to ask whether a sufficient body of professional knowledge and practices exist to warrant its inclusion in teacher preparation. Argues that diagnostic/prescriptive mathematics does constitute an appropriate topic for consideration as content in revised teacher preparation programs. (PK)

Anglo, Black, Hispanic, and Vietnamese parents with children enrolled in school districts in northeast Texas responded to a questionnaire to determinie their perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge about bilingual education. Responses revealed differences according to ethnicity, source of information about bilingual education, and whether a child was in a bilingual program. (JHZ)

This article emphasizes the following points concerning policies of the Detroit Board of Education: (1) conflicts over religion and education have been part of politics since 1842; (2) these conflicts were political rather than consitutional; and (3) until 1948 decisions regarding religion were based on "institutional" considerations designed to protect the schools from political conflict. (VM)