Education & Pedagogy

A positive public relations campaign specific to special education can stimulate teacher cooperation and principal support, improve community perceptions of special education students, and increase hiring of special education students by local businesses. A monthly calendar of suggested activities and guidelines for starting a public relations campaign are provided. (TD)

Examines past and current research in key areas concerning the use of distance education. They include: distance versus traditional education; why students are successful; importance of interaction; important cost to benefit factors; and use of distance education to effectively bridge cultural boundaries. Discusses how these findings can be applied toward the achievement of improved distance education practice in the United States and abroad. (Author/AEF)

Focuses on open learning for higher education. Discusses the legacy of the 20th century; ways higher education is changing; why open universities are important in the 21st century; whom open universities should serve; and what, how, and where open universities should teach. Concludes that open universities and open learning will have a central role in higher education in the new century. (AEF)

Through examination of the development of distance education for foreign languages, puts forth a theory on the emergence of a fourth generation of distance language education, challenging the generally accepted three-generation theory. Argues that with the use of Internet-based real time technology, distance language learning becomes synchronous for the first time and the immersion of distance and campus-based education into a new education system is inevitable. (Author/VWL)

The experiences of three students (elementary, middle school, and high-school students) with significant disabilities who had been members of an urban general education classrooms for at least 3 years are described. Students were provided with accommodations and modifications, however, there was a lack of connection between Individualized Education Programs and curriculum and instruction. (Contains references.) (CR)

A study examined the costs of different models of inclusion and traditional special education preschool programs in five local education agencies in five states. Results show lower costs associated with more inclusive models as compared to traditional forms of special education provision on an annual and per hour basis. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A study involving 2,929 Head Start children found that 8% transitioned into special education during kindergarten and showed divergent patterns of receptive language development. Head Start children in special education differed from children in general education based on child demographic, intellectual, behavioral, and health factors. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Describes a study designed to understand Mexico's values education as a part of a larger comparative project to explore values education in a globally dynamic context. Discusses Mexico's political economy. Presents findings from a survey of policymakers. Shows regional differences and similarities. Contrasts Mexican findings with findings from other countries. (CAJ)

Argues that citizenship education in Laos' national curriculum is contradictory and problematic. Notes that this curriculum excludes the rights or practice of ethnic minority cultures and languages. Discusses implications for girls and minority groups participation in the wider society. Asks general questions about implications for gender and ethnicity education policy. (CAJ)

The articles in this special issue illustrate research in the fields of instructional design and distance education that share the common goal of using the findings to improve practice. Through case studies, the authors contribute ideas, examples, and research data related to the design, development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of distance education courses. (MES)

Applies the concepts of idealism, individualism, and pragmatism from the Association for Teacher Education in Europe's scenario model to Germany's teacher education. Discusses the current German teacher training system's scholarly approach to idealism; notes organizational problems; examines the special psychological demands on students made by teacher training with an individualistic or pragmatic orientation; and highlightes the relevance of the psychological problems to reform models currently being debated in Germany. (SM)

Discusses sociological contributions to understanding black and white inequality in education. Outlines political, cultural, and ideological perspectives on black-white inequality that guide empirical research about access to schooling, educational opportunities in schools, and outcomes of schooling. Relates these perspectives to educational policy decisions aimed at reducing racial inequalities. (CAJ)

Draws on data from schools in Scotland (n=25) to consider how teachers talk about sex education and look at the factors that shape provision at the school and teacher levels. Finds that four interrelated factors are important in understanding the provision of sex education in the classroom. Provides references. (Author/PAL)

This article describes the North Carolina Environmental Education (EE) Certification Program, which was established in 1997, and examines the certification experiences of the kindergarten through 12th grade teachers who have completed the program. Because this program is central to describing and assessing the status of K-12 environmental education in North Carolina, the authors make some policy suggestions to encourage a more focused, more intense, more aligned approach to education for the environment.

This article seeks to initiate discussion of the contours of a multicultural developmental curricula. It first discusses the need for multiculturalism in developmental education and offers an understanding of access to higher education that integrates key strengths of several, currently popular, conceptions of multiculturalism. Then, it presents a model curriculum and discusses specific classroom practices to implement a multicultural developmental approach.