Education & Pedagogy

Presents empirical evidence of an important benefit of education: reductions in welfare incidence. Compares cross-sectional data for black women during the late 1960s and the early 1980s. Findings show a strongly negative relationship between educational attainment and welfare incidence in both cross-sections in several statistical analyses. The payoff to education increases over time. In the early 1980s, education reduced the proportion of single-parent families. (46 references) (MLH)

Discusses issues relating to the integration of information technology into K-12 curricula, focusing on the need for structured inservice programs for teachers to develop competency with technology and curricular applications. Also examines the issue of gender equity in education and the inclusion of inservice strategies to address the problem. (JKP)

Survey responses of 60 rural New Mexico special education directors address availability of programs that simultaneously meet cultural, communication, and disability needs of diverse student populations; training of personnel in these programs; and whether educational diagnosticians and speech language pathologists accommodate language and cultural factors. Recommends cross-training of rural special educators and English-as-a-Second-Language teachers. (RAH)

Two surveys of rural paraprofessionals, teachers, and administrators in special education identified paraprofessionals' perceived training and support needs, current training requirements for special education paraprofessionals, and effective methods of providing training in rural areas. Results encompass demographics, extent and quality of supervision, retention issues, previous training, and training needs. Bar graphs detail paraprofessional and supervisor ratings of paraprofessional competencies. (RAH)

Outlines some of the challenges facing tertiary education courses in early childhood in Australia, including the competency movement, university and TAFE (technical and further education) restructuring, articulation between courses, and effective communication in a field which spans children from birth through age eight. Notes that outcomes of these issues for the ongoing health of programs and of the profession are largely unaddressed. (HTH)

The literature on teen sexuality, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), drug abuse, and homelessness is reviewed as it relates to students with special needs. A survey of 258 special education teacher preparation programs revealed wide variability in the coverage that these programs were providing on these social issues. (Author/DB)

The development of the earth science curriculum in the nation's secondary schools led institutions of higher education to develop diverse methods of structuring new earth science courses and to develop new teaching methods for potential earth science teachers. Although numerous guidelines have been developed by experts, little has been done to institute these recommendations in university programs. (PR)

Goals, content, methods, and outcomes of adult education differ according to state policy and characteristics of the political regime. In the 1980s, Mexico represented a "corporatist" state undertaking an incremental approach to literacy provision for purposes of political legitimation and social integration, while Nicaragua represented a revolutionary state pursuing a structural approach to fundamental educational and social changes. (Author/SV)

Data for 39 journals in special education and related services are tabulated, including number of subscribers, number of submissions, percent of submissions reviewed, percent accepted, and percent of contributors who are faculty at higher education institutions. The resulting reference is intended to assist authors seeking suitable journals and higher education decision makers evaluating quality of faculty publications. (DB)

A California program permits noncertified teacher interns to serve as special education teachers while enrolled in a preparation program. Interns receive support services from both the university and school district. Three case studies involving intern teachers of students with mild disabilities illustrate the implementation of the program, focusing on instructional practices, classroom management, and core curriculum modifications. (Author/DB)

Supportive learning activities were implemented in a multiple-baseline time series design across four fifth-grade classrooms to evaluate the effects of a cooperative teaching alternative (supportive learning) on teaching behavior, the behavior and grades of general and special education students, and the opinions of general education teachers. (JBJ)

Explains how the ideals of the Jewish tradition, Socialist Zionism, and progressive education made education for work central in the kibbutz. Clarifies the role of education for work in the self-realization process of the kibbutz. Concludes with an examination of current attitudes towards this process and its effectiveness. (MJP)

This article reviews research and program literature on four aspects of vocational education for students with learning disabilities: (1) data from follow-up and follow-along studies illustrating the relationship between vocational-technical education and adult outcomes; (2) recent program trends; (3) current practices regarding placement and access; and (4) speculation about effects of school reform and pending legislation. (DB)

Discusses the efforts of Malawi to "vocationalize" general academic education to help alleviate the unemployment problems of secondary school leavers. Given the costs of vocational education and the number of unmet basic human needs in the country, concludes that vocational training should be left to specialist institutions outside general education. (33 references) (MAB)

Comparison of typical courses of study from 1970 to 1990 for students preparing to be teachers of pupils with mental retardation found little change in percentage of programs offering a special course on mental retardation; increased percentage of programs offering cross-categorical courses; and decreased percentage of programs requiring joint preparation in special and general education. (Author/DB)