Education & Pedagogy

A rural Maine school system interviewed 10 administrators and 26 special-education teachers, technicians, and related service personnel as part of an analysis of its special-education services. Findings indicated a lack of a clear mission, limited administrative supervision, inconsistent prereferral procedures, increasing numbers of special-education students and costs, and absence of community involvement. Contains 18 references. (TD)

Explores J. Glenn Gray's neglected philosophy of education as a meaningful framework for grounding the practices of teachers. Addresses tensions between individuality and community, argues for a vision that honors wholeness and synthesis, contends love of beauty as an integral part of education, and embraces plurality and public action as one of the bases for a truly generous education. (29 citations) (VWC)

Describes research to develop curriculum guidelines for a distance education course in urban agriculture. The course, designed to train the teacher, is based on an eclectic curriculum design model. The course is aimed at the socioeconomic empowerment of urban farmers and is based on sustainable ecological-agricultural principles, an interdisciplinary approach, and competency through development of practical problem-solving skills. Contains 31 references. (PVD)

A discussion of the new era of legal education in Russia examines the general structure of the legal system and related careers, legal education within and outside the universities, costs, and curriculum design. A more detailed look at the St. Petersburg State University law school examines the curriculum, teaching methods, testing, instructional materials, library resources, faculty, research, and students. (MSE)

Describes a partnership between preservice physical education (PE) teachers and at-risk alternative high school students in which preservice teachers provided PE at the school, where there was no PE faculty or facility. Participant surveys and interviews indicated that the program was very effective, pupils appreciated and enjoyed the program, and preservice teachers valued the experience. (SM)

Presents a critical reflection of the author's 14-year experience in the Teacher Training Program for Intercultural Bilingual Education in the Peruvian Amazon Basin, developed by a national Peruvian indigenous confederation and the Loreto state teacher training college. Focuses on ethical, political, and pedagogical challenges that intercultural education raises regarding curriculum development and practice, particularly contradictions between intercultural discourse and assimilationist practice. (Contains 27 references.) (Author/SV)

Describes and evaluates the introduction of the Patchwork Text assignment in the assessment of a Masters-level course on Intercultural Management taught to students of various nationalities and linguistic/cultural backgrounds as part of a Masters-level business education program. Begins by addressing the question of whether the Patchwork Text assessment process can contribute to effective management education and concludes with implications for management education. (Author/AEF)

This article describes the implementation and outcomes of a teacher-directed professional development program for 33 general and special education teachers that was designed to increase the awareness of culturally influenced learning and behavioral differences in the classroom. Results indicate an increase in teachers' depth of knowledge regarding culturally responsive pedagogy. (Contains references.) (CR)

Presents an afterword to a collection of articles that illustrate how critical race theory shapes educational research and enables scholars to analyze educational outcomes that might otherwise remain hidden. Offers insight into the forward movement of critical race theory and education, suggesting that the articles collectively make a case for "racecentricity" (an explicitly race conscious approach to education) and demonstrate the potential of interdisciplinary approaches to education policy. (SM)

Proposes a Maori framework with which to view Maori secondary school teachers' experiences in relation to teacher education, asserting that an akonga Maori framework based on a kaupapa Maori theory provides an indigenous perspective on Maori teachers' roles which, in turn, may allow education providers to better engage with Maori student teachers in preparing them for within in secondary schools. A glossary of Maori terms is included. (Author/SM)

Describes a classroom assignment designed to help teacher educators contrast how American Indian and white European American students develop their ethnic identities in teacher education programs. The paper discusses the context and ideas that generated this self-study, offering student excerpts to illustrate the processes these students travel in their identity development, moving from a state of unawareness to varying degrees of self-awareness. (Contains references.) (SM)

Education of African Americans in the U.S. South and Black South Africans during the periods of segregation and apartheid, respectively, were similar in both the nature of school oppression and the ways that oppressed communities sought to use education to promote racial advancement. Survey, interview, and focus-group data reveal similarities in poor physical facilities, Black parents' support for education, and Black educators' caring and commitment. (SV)

Reviews a book that analyzes the 1970s political takeover of the Crystal City (Texas) school board, city council, and county offices by radical Chicano activists; district-wide establishment of maintenance bilingual education; internal and community divisions that followed; and eventual abandonment of the innovative programs. Points out the links between bilingual education and consciousness raising, critical thinking, and community empowerment. (TD)

Surveyed and interviewed full-time faculty in colleges of education at four urban, Midwestern, universities to determine their perceptions, practice, and knowledge of diversity issues in addressing commonly mandated directives in pre-service programs. Respondents attempted to meet national accrediting standards, offered special required courses, threaded material throughout courses, and offered inservicing related to diversity. Nonetheless, they lacked a sense of collective ownership of this enterprise. (SM)

Describes how the common guiding principles of environment, representation, and collaboration in the disciplines of environmental education, early childhood education, and landscape architecture provided the foundation for a school-based garden project. Shows how the gardening activities and integration of the three philosophies helped to enhance children's individual cognitive development, foster a sense of stewardship of the environment, and provide a link between the school and community. (KB)