Education & Pedagogy

Describes the education of young children in the Soviet Union. Considers changes that have taken place since the school reform of 1984 within a historical perspective. Focuses on the first year of schooling and the ways in which systems attempt to inculcate values and beliefs. (Author/BB)

The head of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services urges special educators to remain committed to quality educational services, to serve as leaders in the regular education reform called for in the national education strategy "America 2000," and to recruit special education personnel representing diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. (JDD)

Presents recommendations for using cooperative learning with preservice elementary and secondary education teachers based on experiences in more than 35 courses. The article describes nine cooperative learning strategies and presents the results of a survey of preservice students' attitudes toward cooperative learning. (SM)

Explains that the laser videodisc is a versatile and cost-effective tool with enormous instructional potential for art education. Describes the origins, quality, and capability of videodiscs, and discusses the varieties of players and discs presently available. Maintains that this technology is especially relevant now that art education includes nonstudio approaches. (KM)

Washington statewide data indicate that attrition rates did not differ between rural and urban special educators, but were twice as high for rural special educators as general educators. Interviews with special educators focus on soaring rural special education enrollments and difficulties in rural teacher recruitment. Contains 23 references. (SV)

Possible developments in Finnish adult vocational education were explored through a survey of 117 adult educators. Three scenarios of future development were identified: (1) increase in provision of education; (2) rapid change by adult education institutions to meet demand; and (3) little change in environment and practice. (SLD)

Teacher educator discusses challenges in preparing teachers for diverse student populations. She remembers being the only African American in one seventh grade class. It was the only public school experience in which she forgot her differences because the teacher taught to benefit all students, forever influencing her educational beliefs. (SM)

Discusses cultural diversity from the point of view of Pat Griffin, a lesbian feminist and associate professor of physical education. To her, cultural diversity includes religion, race, gender, physical and mental ability, class, and sexual orientation. She emphasizes the latter because it is often ignored in the school environment. (SM)

Describes a college course entitled "Race and Education" offered to students from all departments, most of whom are white. The course teaches students to think reflectively and analytically about the nature and impact of racism, examining educational institutions and their own educational experiences as the vehicle. (SM)

Describes strategies one teacher educator uses in an ethnic studies course designed to prepare teachers for the future (which is predicted to have more minority students and fewer minority teachers). Multicultural educational experiences are essential so teachers can gain social science, pedagogical, and subject matter content knowledge about diversity. (SM)

Identifies issues in educating students with disabilities who enter postsecondary programs intending to teach individuals with disabilities. The article discusses legal issues guaranteeing equal educational access, questions assumptions about teacher preparation, and mentions contributions to educational quality made by people with disabilities. (SM)

Shows how two approaches, nurture (subject-matter centered) and nature (child-centered), have affected education and art education over the years. Concludes that whichever approach is fashionable, art education must be relevant to students' lives and they should be able to talk intelligently about art. (KM)

Discusses the educational philosophies of the two camps of the Progressive Education Movement: the child-centered education camp, exemplified by the work of John Dewey, and mass education camp exemplified by the rising "science" of educational testing (led by Edward L. Thorndike) and the growth and centralized authority of large bureaucratic school districts. (BB)

Praises past achievements of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) and the art education profession. Maintains that art curriculum must reflect community values and norms, and should be relevant to students' needs. Believes that art educators are currently in a position to make art a central part of educational processes. (KM)

Reviews the limited research on the nature of refugees' educational demand and opportunities in various countries, international and local resources for refugee education, the politics of international aid, the influence of expectations for resettlement versus repatriation, and training of teachers and other refugee community workers. Contains 79 references. (SV)