Education & Pedagogy

This article presents statistics on school health education, looking at selected federal support and related research and focusing on the School Health Policies and Programs Study, which used questionnaires to provide data on the status of health education at the state, district, school, and classroom levels. (SM)

Explores links between science education and current developments in environmental education that take account of the concept of sustainability and the impact of local action on global issues. Uses the greenhouse effect as a case-study example with 16-year-old students. Reports that students learned more effectively using a discussion-based learning approach. Contains 25 references. (Author/JRH)

This summary of a 1995 forum on the cost and future of dental education proposes that the profession of dental education view the dual concerns of cost containment and curricular innovation as a puzzle to be solved rather than as a paradox to be accepted and thus foster growth, development, and vitality. (MSE)

The Drake University (Iowa) pharmacy school has developed an elective teaching clerkship to help prepare pharmacy students as university teachers. Course goals were to familiarize students with issues in university-level teaching, promote understanding of theories underlying specific teaching methods, and apply general teaching technique and methods specifically to the health occupations education setting. (Author/MSE)

A survey of chief academic officers and faculty (n=27) in 16 schools of optometry found that, since 1986, there has been a 75% increase in institutions requiring coursework in geriatric optometry and an 83% increase in those offering continuing professional education in this field. However, 67% of faculty report no formal training. Three faculty development models are proposed. (Author/MSE)

Reviews the implementation of the Tech Prep Associate Degree Program in Ohio. Discusses six components of the state's approach to establishing Tech Prep, the program's current status, and linkages with other state and national education reform efforts. Suggests that strong state leadership and the active participation of postsecondary institutions are keys to success. (MAB)

Presents a bibliography of 451 sources on education and training for librarianship and information work. Highlights include library and information science schools, departments, and courses; professional and paraprofessional qualifications; career development; continuing education; inservice training; role of associations and societies; related occupations; and the employment marketplace. Name and subject indexes are provided. (AEF)

Discusses the need for technology instruction in teacher education programs and describes a partnership among Western Kentucky University, four corporations, and three school districts that provided a technology center for Western Kentucky's College of Education. Roles of the participants are explained and the impact of the Kentucky Education Reform Act is described. (LRW)

Issues in European vocational education in the last two decades are examined, including diminishing resources, changing locus of decision making, youth unemployment, and technology-driven change. An international technical assistance project to reform the Albanian vocational education system is then described, and the influence of reforms in five countries (Norway, United Kingdom, Germany, Portugal, Poland) to this process are discussed. (MSE)

A survey of 100 rural school administrators in the Southwest identified assessment skills, teaching methods, and parent involvement as the most important competencies for teaching bilingual children with disabilities. Respondents also stressed the importance of understanding the cultural and linguistic background of minority students. Discusses implications for teacher education programs. (LP)

Investigated the literary experiences of preschoolers in Head Start and early childhood special education (ECSE) classrooms based on survey responses of 10 Head Start and 20 ECSE teachers. Found similarities between the two teacher groups regarding the relatively low priority placed on reading and writing goals and the ways children were involved in reading activities. (AC)

This discussion of Romanian legal education has two parts: (1) personal observations made while teaching at the University of Swab; and (2) an overview of the legal education system, including structure, curriculum, admissions, and financial aid, and some of the problems facing the reform of Romanian law schools during the transition from authoritarianism to democracy. (Author/MSE)

Includes "'Sharing' the Gospel According to Agriculture!" (Frick); "Agricultural Literacy: An Integrated Content and Partnership Approach" (Parmley et al.); "Idaho Agriculture in the Classroom" (Pals, Waitley); "Middle School Agricultural Education" (Moore, Violett); "Agricultural Communication" (Birkenholz, Craven); "Ag-outside-the-Classroom: A Citizen's Agenda" (Nunnery); and "Agricultural Education in Russia" (Pichugina). (SK)

Asserts that character education in the schools should be framed by the civic principles of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Paraphrases these principles as "rights, responsibilities, and respect." Addresses parental misgivings about possible religious content and conflict. (MJP)

Reviews the recent growth of Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) schools and enrollments, the increased tribal control over BIA education, the success of BIA school reform efforts and of tribal colleges, and major facilities problems due to inadequate funding. Suggests that enthusiasm for school improvement is endangered by a political environment that values budget cutting over educational quality. (SV)