Education & Pedagogy

Examines the integral relationship between law-related education and social studies, particularly in the context of values education, ethical reasoning, and participatory activities. Illustrates the complementarity of social studies and law-related education components. Reviews literature on U.S. history and the U.S. Constitution that coordinate the two disciplines and facilitate teaching ethical reasoning. Suggests additional readings. (DB)

Describes the development of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) tests which predict student success in mathematics on the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) and readiness for college mathematics. Institutions wishing to expand ethnic diversity in teacher education must help minority students prepare for tests like the TASP. (SM)

Presents results of a 1989 national survey of computer use in over 600 schools in England. Identifies changes that have taken place in computer use over a four-year period and the factors contributing to the change. Discusses findings regarding computer hardware and software. Offers recommendations for improved use of computers in education. Identifies software most often used. (NL)

Describes two intuitive rules underlying students' conceptions in mathematics and science that are not always compatible with usually accepted scientific ideas. The intuitive rules are: "More of A, more of B" and "Subdivision processes can always be repeated." In teacher education, it is important to raise instructors' awareness of the role of intuitive rules in student thinking. (SM)

It is argued that changes in the biomedical research environment and health care system call for reexamination of the mission and value of research and graduate education programs in basic sciences in pharmacy schools. Trends in research funding and graduate-level basic sciences are noted though contributions of these efforts to the field are questioned. Recommendations for further discussion are offered. (MSE)

Researchers analyzed journals and essays from an elementary teacher education course, examining white prospective teachers' changing views about inner-city schools with minority children as they completed fieldwork and relevant readings. The experiences helped them question old assumptions about urban students and teaching and about the value of multicultural education. (SM)

The task force of the American Chemical Society's Division on Chemical Education, which was formed to implement curricular change in chemical education, outlines recommendations that should be part of the curricular change process. The recommendations are divided into groups of areas altering course material and areas altering process goals of the course. Three approaches to curriculum reform are described. Includes history of general chemistry education. (PVD)

Examines the policy context in which private education has emerged in post-Mao China. Uses three case studies of private schools/colleges to explore how intellectuals and educators in the Pearl River Delta (Guangdong province) have persevered to assert their academic independence, offer a new agenda for education, and redefine the private-public distinction. Contains 64 references. (Author/SV)

Describes a collaborative effort between an urban high school and a university that focused on creating and supporting substantive and institutionalized changes in physical and health education at the school, which could then be used as a professional-development school site for preparing prospective physical-education teachers. Stories from the collaboration highlight complexities and challenges the effort faced. (SM)

Describes the Rural/Urban American Indian Teacher Education Program, based on Baber's (1970) notion of the equal other. It featured cross-cultural partnerships at every possible level. Its goals were to prepare more American-Indian teachers and culturally enhance the preparation of white, female, monolingual candidates. The paper examines some of the program's successes, failures, and distinctive features. (SM)

Southeast Kansas Education Service Center (or Greenbush) cooperative aims to provide educational equity for rural school children. Greenbush, which began in 1975 and now serves 110 school districts throughout the state and nation, offers 180 programs including science workshops, interactive distance-learning programs, outdoor-challenge courses, and services for schools such as group health insurance and technology training. (CDS)

Followed two preservice physical education teacher cohorts, one from a Professional Development School collaborative, to determine the benefits of collaboration. Observations and interviews with student teachers, cooperating teachers, and administrators showed trends from apprehension to receptivity and recommitment to the teacher education process for collaborative participants. Exposed undergraduates and their students demonstrated changes in select daily practices correlated with effective instruction. (SM)

Discusses gender differences in academic achievement and cognitive development in China, noting gender differences in school treatment that have negative effects on girls' learning and achievement. The paper reviews Chinese educational processes and outcomes and summarizes various efforts designed to enhance gender equity in education, noting challenges posed by these gender issues to Chinese teacher education. (SM)

Discussion of the need for diversity in the teaching force, especially in special education, focuses on Congress's efforts to address this issue. It describes the Alliance 2000 Project, a federal program created to provide technical assistance to the nation's minority colleges and universities to increase their access to personnel preparation funds available through the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)

A study, based on techniques developed at the University of Oregon, explored the impact of special education on the education and postschool outcomes of 528 students with disabilities who had exited from special education services in Arizona. The majority were working full time and earning an average of $5.00 an hour in jobs that relatives or friends had assisted in procuring. (CR)