Education & Pedagogy

Graduates of Boston University's accelerated Six-Year College of Liberal Arts-Medical Education Combined Degree Program are compared with their eight-year classmates. The results indicate that the six-year group achieved higher scores on standardized tests but that both groups were remarkably similar in other aspects, and that the liberal arts emphasis did not jeopardize the six-year group's preparation. (JMD)

Staff development or inservice education has received increased emphasis in recent times as a result of: (1) a decline in staff mobility; (2) a sense of accountability; and (3) changes in societal expectations. The federal view is to deemphasize staff development as a federal priority. Several state inservice programs are described, and state approaches to professional development are viewed. (JN)

Premodern Chinese education emphasized an intricate system of examinations used by the government to select its officials from among the "shih" (scholars). A dual tract educational system existed: state and some private schools for examination bound scholars, and private schools for others fortunate enough to receive some education. (MH)

If education is to play a role in the design and implementation of a policy of technological development in the Ivory Coast, an educational policy is needed that aims at improving the country's ability to assimilate, adapt, and modify imported technologies and to produce new technologies locally. (RM)

In an action research project involving teacher education faculty and practicum associate teachers (cooperating teachers), associate teachers identified supervisory methods used in their associate role: (1) conferencing with the student teacher; (2) demonstrating teaching methods; (3) observing and coaching the student teacher; and (4) counseling student teachers who experience difficulties. (KS)

Reviews claims by U.S. business leaders that poor educational performance, discipline, and motivation of non-college-bound students are evidence of defects in the public schools. Argues that structural changes in the U.S. economy have had a negative impact on student motivation and have shaped the current sense of crisis in U.S. education. (CFR)

Reviews the educational system and developments in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union since World War II. Contends that reforms that brought intellectual freedom and pluralistic thinking have led to demands for autonomy from government control. Concludes that education is still linked to socio-economic, cultural, and political struggles and that predictions about educational reforms are impossible to make. (CFR)

A program in a public secondary school in London, Ontario (Canada), has provided 15 blind and visually impaired adults (mean age 33) with instruction to upgrade academic credentials and learn new job skills. Student outcomes are summarized, and discussion focuses on the potential role of public secondary schools in the adult education of this population. (DB)

Study analyzed the use of K-6 science materials called "Learning about Thinking & Thinking about Learning" in an inservice teacher education program for 18 teachers. From interviews, participants indicated that they gained useful information from the program. The evaluative measures utilized suggest that the inservice had a positive impact on the participants' science teaching. (PR)

A structural equation modeling approach was used to investigate general education achievement gains in 6,409 students at 34 colleges and universities. Results indicated gains were highest among students attending institutions where general education requirements were under 40% of overall requirements or were not equally distributed among communications, mathematics, social science, natural sciences, and humanities. (MSE)

Evaluated first phase of three-phase research project, Project KICK (Kids in Cooperation with Kids) by examining interaction between parent education, positive peer role modeling, and drug education for third graders. Hypothesized that intervention would lead to increase in self-esteem, improved attitudes, increased knowledge regarding drugs, and improvement in quality of parent-child relationship. Preliminary results were encouraging. (Author/NB)

Describes the work of Mary Hunt and the Scientific Temperance movement to mandate teaching about the nature of alcohol and narcotics in the public schools. Examines the struggle over organization and planning within the public school system. Discusses organization in the Scientific Temperance movement's response to public school administration and educational politics. (DK)

To alleviate poor subject-matter preparation of science teachers and stem declining enrollment in both secondary and postsecondary science programs, the University of Western Ontario faculties of science and education are collaborating in a new honors undergraduate program in science. The interdisciplinary program offers a broader selection of courses and a more comprehensive introduction to science. (MSE)

Explores the background and context of the Australian federal government's new postcompulsory education and training policies. Examines the social, economic, and political context surrounding policy development and the "stitching together" of competing interests. The resulting policy directions, linking goals to equity issues, represent an ambiguous policy mix and offer contradictory possibilities for young people. Implications and recommendations are discussed. (MLH)

Describes the development of two instruments for use with preservice and practicing teachers: Attitudes toward Computer Technologies and Self-Efficacy for Computer Technologies. Graduate and undergraduate students completed the instruments. Results provide initial instrument validation. The paper presents data on content validity and results of exploratory analysis exmining predictors of self-efficacy. (SM)