Education & Pedagogy

Describes four eras in Mexican-American education: (1) schooling in the Southwest, 1848-1890; (2) expansion of Mexican-American education, 1890-1930; (3) changing nature of public education, 1930-1960; and (4) the contemporary period. Explores such themes as exclusion, segregated and inferior schooling, and nativism. (SK)

Describes a development, research, and improvement framework for conducting comprehensive program assessment in physical-education teacher education (PETE). The framework includes questions that guide PETE faculty through program assessment to create customized plans. Data from observation instruments, qualitative techniques, and psychometric instruments monitor students' acquisition of the program's intended pedagogical skills, content knowledge, performance knowledge, beliefs/attitudes, and professional dispositions. (SM)

Discusses the "sense of art" as an experience and expression in both daily life and art forms that gives Aboriginal people a feeling of coherence and beauty and helps them to survive and thrive. Illustrates the application of these concepts in land-based aesthetic experiences at a community site of Simon Fraser University's Professional Development Teacher Education Program. (Author/SV)

Calls upon Canadian Aboriginal communities to take control of their children's education by breaking free of inappropriate Western educational practices; moving from rhetoric to action in the areas of native language instruction, outdoor learning, involvement of Elders, and parent participation; and developing community-based evaluations of educational quality. (SV)

Considers the status of the education agenda of the Sea Grant Program as it turns 30. Projects described include Operation Pathfinder, which aims to educate minority teachers and/or teachers of minority students. Also described are a program in which seafood processors and resellers are trained in safety and health areas, and programs to train graduate students for participation in marine careers. (PVD)

Examines the literature related to effective teaching behaviors of postsecondary instructors and library and information science (LIS) educators. Considers models for improving instruction in higher education. Concludes that effective teaching is multidimensional and that attention to specific teaching behaviors should take place within the context of a comprehensive plan for improving teaching and learning. (Author/AEF)

Investigates the impact of asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) technology in an interactive environment providing distance education in library and information science at two San Jose State University (California) sites. The main purpose of the study was to develop a reliable and valid evaluation instrument. Contains 6 tables. (Author/AEF)

A new accreditation agency, the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), gives college presidents a greater role in program assessment and evaluates institutions on how well they meet their own standards. Competing with the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and founded in 1954, TEAC is seen by some as hampering efforts to raise the status of teacher education. (MSE)

Washington State's Initiative 200, on the ballot this November, would bar state and local governments from "discriminating or granting preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, and contracting." Observers see the initiative as another attack on affirmative action. Little attention has focused on its potential impact on higher education. (MSE)

Identifies the problems faced by the Indian education system and lists the goals of the Indian Nations at Risk Task Force, which was created in 1991 to improve tribal education by the year 2000. Addresses the need for further change in K-12 schooling, stressing partnerships and research as necessary proponents of educational success. (YKH)

To counter the traditional inequitable mathematics experiences for elementary school girls, Indiana State University created an annual Mathematics Day with Girls Scouts. Girls ages six to seven years participate in various fun mathematical activities, rotating through mathematics learning stations developed by preservice elementary mathematics teachers. Evaluation has indicated that the girls have fun, positive experiences. (SM)

Examines recent research considering the effects of art experience on academic achievement. Discovers the most cogent research concerns the intentional use of the arts to increase reading and writing. Proposes three new ways of considering the efficacy of art education: arts-based outcomes, arts-related outcomes, and ancillary outcomes of art education. (MJP)

Examines the effects of the weakening of Russian educational standards on the quality of higher education and its applicants. Maintains that loosening the standards for competitive examinations has forced the higher education institutions to develop a system of college preparation and to institute concessions on enrollment. (MJP)

Argues that changes in citizenship education during the progressive era (emphasizing community and the common welfare rather than individual rights) grew out of support for a strong, activist central government. Questions earlier assumptions that the change occurred in reaction to immigration. Discusses competing conceptions of citizenship and their proponents. (MJP)

Maintains that while Russian schools have performed admirably in the field of general education they have failed to develop any spiritual foundations for young people. Outlines the historic role of the Orthodox church in developing the Russian character and advocates a stronger presence for that church in Russian society. (MJP)