Education & Pedagogy

This essay discusses how Foucault's study of power relates to more general reexamination of the foundations of critical traditions, especially decentering of the subject as part of a broader consideration of social epistemology. The paper explores two concepts of power (sovereignty/repression and deployment/production of power) and examines the politics of intellectual work. (SM)

This paper discusses reasons for the mutual disregard between teacher educators and school teachers, who should be partners in preservice teacher education. Drawing upon research, the paper examines the overall context in which the work of teaching is being conceptualized in contemporary Europe, asking fundamental questions about why the mutual disregard exists. (SM)

Discusses the current reform, both in organizational structure and curriculum development, occurring in Poland's universities. Emphasis is given to the changes in the economics curriculum and the role of Western economists in adopting the new method of teaching in a rapidly changing economic environment. (MJP)

In response to a changing world and changing academic fields, a "to do" list for members of the Comparative and International Education Society focuses on creating alliances that are policy advocates for education, building bridges from past to present to future and between changing populations and new educational needs, and confessing the "sins" of educational scholars and consultants. (SV)

Discusses vocational education training in Slovenia since 1991, noting challenges posed by transformation of the economic/social system (privatization, development of market economy, labor force development, European integration) and reviews basic features of the Slovenian system. Cites general reform objectives adopted in 1996 and the need for development of key competencies and qualifications. Briefly describes vocational education reform innovations introduced. (CH)

Finland's efforts to develop parity between university and nonuniversity higher education sectors are evident in its creation of 22 experimental "ammattikorkeakoulu" (AMKs). These "polytechnics" are gaining increasing centrality in European higher education systems, but have not increased accessibility for women and lower socioeconomic groups. In Finland, AMK demand far exceeds supply. Swedish and Finnish sectors have access, but not the Lapps and Gypsies. (13 references) (MLH)

Interviews with adult education staff in British universities, further education colleges, local authorities, and voluntary organizations (n=41) show that the government funding shift to vocational education increased adult educators' workload; many feel it has endangered institutional ethos and adult learning. Part-time teachers were less negatively affected by the changes. (SK)

Describes how some schools are using funding from Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as amended by the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 to apply technology in the schools. Reviews specific requirements for allocating funds in targeted assistance and schoolwide program schools. (SLD)

Examines the history, philosophy, methods, and operations of the Mary McLeod Bethune Institute, an Afrocentric supplementary Saturday elementary school in Los Angeles (California). Qualitative data show the role this enrichment plays in developing socially active and capable African American youth through the study of African American culture and values. (SLD)

This review examines employment and postsecondary education outcomes for youth with disabilities leaving secondary schools, as well as studies of educational practices reporting high-quality outcomes. Practices that appear to improve outcomes for these students are supervised work experiences and functionally oriented curricula that connect academic and job skills. (SLD)

Christiane Northrup, an obstetrician-gynecologist with 20 years of clinical and medical teaching experience, discusses how the medical profession has instilled fear of our bodies and of illness; the important role of women physicians in teaching others to listen to their bodies; and her own roles as wife, mother, and physician. (LP)

Explores economic progress and survival as motivations for vocational education for African Americans, and provides a brief overview of the historical experience of African Americans with vocational education. As the nature of work becomes more complex, alternative approaches to vocational education will become increasingly important for African Americans who do not plan to pursue a liberal arts education. (SLD)

Considers how institutions of higher learning can plan for change to prepare teachers for teaching in an increasingly multicultural society. Discusses empirical-rational, power-coercive, and normative-re-educative strategies. Reviews why normative-re-educative strategies are most useful for planned change in education, and presents a model of planned change involving university-school collaboration. (SLD)

Examines the development and implementation of a multicultural education workshop designed to help future elementary school teachers prepare for classroom student diversity. Student journals and faculty perceptions are used in an outcome analysis that reveals an increase in participant knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for the multicultural classroom. (GR)

Moral educators understand the moral and ethical complexities of their role, possess expertise in interpreting their behavior and discerning its influence on students, and act ethically within the context of professional responsibility. Teacher education programs must concentrate on addressing ethics. The case study method can be effective in teaching preservice educators about moral and ethical teaching. (SM)