Education & Pedagogy

In 1998, passage of Proposition 227 virtually eliminated bilingual education programs and called for instruction overwhelmingly in English. However, diverse student populations require diverse instructional approaches. Standards-based reform aids only students who can fully understand and assimilate high academic content. Constructivists value building on students' prior knowledge. (Contains 18 references.) (MLH)

Discusses how language teacher education has shifted to constructivist, process-oriented theories of learning; the idea that teacher education programs have failed to prepare teachers for the classroom; the importance of teachers' prior experiences; and the concern that teaching be viewed as a profession where teachers have an active role in developing theory and their own professional development. (Author/VWL)

Fourteen general and special education teachers met 10 times to examine current assessment practices and to consider and design alternatives that they experimented with between meetings. Teachers produced high quality assessments to reflect their teaching-learning contexts, and gained confidence in their ability to make professional judgments about children's learning. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Identifies historical factors involved in analyzing Initial Teacher Education (ITE) for primary level in England, focusing on institutions in which primary ITE courses are taught and the curricula for primary ITE. Argues that primary ITE has been characterized by rapid changes and discontinuities in both institutions and curricula. Concludes that current primary ITE faces fundamental changes to core values. (KB)

Shows how education among traditional communities in Benin is an initiatory process where acquisition of practical knowledge is interwoven with religion and custom. States that rites of passage, tests, and acquisition of appropriate forms of knowledge may mark an individual's developmental stages. Describes several specific forms of education. (VWC)

Investigates gender differences in determinants of three schooling indicators (grade attainment, current enrollment, and withdrawal from school) in a poor urban area in Guinea. Raising household income leads to greater investments in girls' schooling. Improving fathers' education benefits both sexes' education; improving mothers' education benefits only daughters' schooling. (Contains 44 references.) (MLH)

Describes the attempted 1933 merger between the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, discussing educational and institutional issues exposed during the debate. The universities and their presidents embodied very different philosophies of higher education. Circumstances surrounding the failed merger reveal much about the range of possibilities open to universities during this period in the history of U.S. higher education. (SM)

Mathematics education at every level is increasingly influenced by powerful bureaucrats rather than by the profession. Suggests that mathematical scientists should try to understand the political forces affecting mathematics education for the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI) study on teaching and learning mathematics at the tertiary level in order to have maximum impact. (Contains 19 references.) (Author/ASK)

Outlines the fundamental changes in initial teacher education in England and Wales in recent years, with particular reference to the Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE). Finds that a large proportion of secondary science teacher trainees had little or no knowledge of or experience with General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQ) courses. Discusses science teachers' future training needs. (Contains 12 references.) (Author/WRM)

Describes students' perceptions of a unique learning environment at a large Midwestern high school. Most students reported a positive experience and described the classroom as fun and exciting with real world relevance. However, findings also indicate that several students did not share these views and many students were not successful. (Contains 45 references.) (Author/WRM)

In Israel, secondary curriculum differentiation (more diverse course offerings) was related to greater course-taking diversity, student selection of higher-level courses, higher average achievement, and greater equality of achievement. In the United States, which does not have Israel's high-stakes examination system, diverse course offerings were not linked to course-taking diversity and resulted in greater inequality. (SV)

Because new information-age learning models incorporate experiential education theories and practices, integration of information technology is an opportunity to integrate experiential methods. Scenarios are presented for integrating technology into experiential curricula. Problems include cost, training, lack of quality software, and incompatibility with certain outdoor and adventure education experiences. Technology needs human guidance in its application. Contains 25 references. (TD)

Provides an overview of China's higher education sector. Discusses challenges, with a particular emphasis on the role played by junior colleges and vocational institutions that award two- or three-year degrees. Gives recommendations for restructuring higher education in China in light of policies and practices in U. S. community colleges. Contains 27 references. (VWC)

Examines the issue of community in distance learning. Reviews: literature on the nature of community, trends in higher education, and virtual teams in business. Discusses: what higher education can expect from virtual teams; a virtual learning community model; how virtual learning communities in higher education differ from traditional models; and methods and technologies that should be utilized to create/maintain virtual learning communities. (AEF)

Two reports discuss 1998 bills affecting education programs, libraries and publishing. Acts include: Digital Millennium Copyright, Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension; Trademark Law Treaty Implementation; Children's Online Protection/Privacy Protection; Internet Tax Freedom; Next Generation Internet Research; Year 2000 Information/Readiness Disclosure; Department of Education Appropriations; Reading Excellence; Higher Education Amendments; Adult Education/Family Literacy; Head Start Amendments; Non-Enacted Legislation Relevant to AAP Policy Priorities. (AEF)