Education & Pedagogy

Compared perceptions of 39 parents and 186 teachers toward death education for young children. Parents expressed significantly less support than teachers for death education as a part of early childhood education and did not wish teachers to share their personal or religious beliefs with children. (Author/JAC)

Describes modifications in Siberian technical education (1952-56) to cope with technological and scientific advancements. Elementary and secondary schools implemented a Soviet policy mandating a rapid increase in scientific and technical education despite severe shortages in facilities and instructional materials. Often, students learned production skills by fabricating their own laboratory equipment. (AM)

Describes the Siberian labor and technical educational system as it changed to meet national needs through World War II up to 1956. According to Soviet policy, the schools' main goals were to train students at all levels in practical and socially useful skills and to increase agricultural production. (AM)

Discusses the philosophical issues underlying the British debate on the relationship of schools to industry. Examines whether students should be educated for personal growth and their possible contributions to society, or to ensure that capitalist industries are adequately supplied with trained workers. (AM)

To improve the productivity of the work force, vocational education should be expanded in three areas: (1) shaping of policies that reflect changes in the work force; (2) teaching of entrepreneurship education to continue the growth of business; and (3) increasing research and development in vocational education. (CJ)

In an effort to simplify the credentialing process for teacher preparation in California, legislation was implemented to reduce the number of credentials. The new health education credential includes two plans: (1) a double-major and five years in school; and (2) a plan in which health education is subsumed under another recognized single subject. (JN)

Emphasized is the need for statewide direction in secondary science education coordinated by personnel from local school districts, local universities, and state departments of education. A state communication network is described and its impact on earth science, preservice and inservice college offerings, research, and other areas discussed. (DC)

Reviews current literature on sex education and concludes that adequate community support and proven methods exist for establishing much-needed sex education programs in schools. Asserts that preservice and inservice programs for teachers and educators' willingness to address the social and human problems associated with teenage sexuality are also essential. (Author/WD)

Suggestions for mathematics teacher training in early childhood education focus on three related concerns: (1) content, (2) learning, and (3) methodology. Programs which are designed to teach the issues in each of these areas are seen as ones which will prepare students who are worthy of respect and admiration. (MP)

Vocational education can play a significant role in the occupational development of handicapped students. Instruction in six cluster areas can be accomplished through regular, adapted, or special vocational education as well as individual vocational training and prevocational evaluation services. Vocational educators have specific functions within the individualized education program process. (CL)

An investigation into the discrepancy between the educational experiences of the exceptional student and the current preparation programs available to special educators led to an experimental model that serves as a comprehensive undergraduate special education program for competencies in behavior disorders, mental retardation, and specific learning disabilities. (JN)

Criticizes the view held by an increasing number of contemporary philosophers of education that the main focus of educational philosophy should be practical, rather than theoretical. Suggests that the primary aim of philosophers of education should be to contribute to the philosophical understanding of education, not to solving its day-to-day problems. (DB)

With the help of the National Endowment for the Humanities, a plan to infuse preprofessional training with the humanities is now halfway through its second year of operation at the University of Florida at Gainesville. Participating students and faculty in medicine and health-related fields, law, engineering, and business are participating in this interdisciplinary program. (Author/LBH)

Describes a performance based teacher education study, with 27 student teachers. Investigated were cognitive statements, reinforcement patterns, effects of treatment on individuals, identification of individuals responding well or poorly, and performance criteria specified in measurable terms. Results indicated methods employed were effective. (SL)

Described is a social studies methods course in teacher education at the University of Georgia. Based upon a system of performance based teacher education modules, the course involves 12 hours of work per week per student in an elementary school and participation in an on-campus instructional module in concept development. (Author/DB)