Education & Pedagogy

Examines several issues related to job security for physical educators, such as how to gain support from principals and administrators, how to gain support and be involved in the total school program, how to identify the qualities of a successful physical education program, and how to seek help from higher education. (SM)

The educational needs of Eastern and Central Europe can be met by distance education. Since the 1990 founding of the European Distance Education Network, proponents of open and distance education have expanded the scope of their activities. Governments and institutions must find the best ways to use technology to integrate traditional and distance learning at all levels. (Author/MSE)

Discusses a professional-development course for educators, team-taught by three faculty members, that combined the content of courses in multicultural education, special education, and human development. Each teacher describes his or her experiences and the issues addressed; student comments are examined; and the requirements for and benefits of effective team teaching are explored. (MSE)

Considers recent teacher-education reforms in England and Wales and how they reflect a response to global economic pressures, challenging the view that such pressures are inexorable determinants of educational policy and arguing that any country will need to develop its own approach to modernizing teacher education in light of the global context and its particular circumstances. (Author/SM)

Analyzes surveys with English and Welsh teachers describing their reactions to teacher training reform which required novices to meet sets of explicit criteria and spend more time in schools. Teachers rejected the idea of training being totally school-based with no higher education input, appreciating links between universities and schools and welcoming the professionalism that higher education provided. (SM)

A study involving 27,908 children (age 10) found that children with very low birth weight born to mothers with low maternal education are at high risk of receiving special education services; however, the largest percentage of children receiving special education had the single risk factor of low maternal education. (Author/CR)

Examines intense and bitter conflict over public education in the Philippines occurring immediately after the Spanish-American War and the U.S. annexation of the islands. The U.S. replacement of the popular Catholic school system with a secular system resulted in opposition that eventually focused on textbook selection. (MJP)

Examines the history of France's preservice teacher education, from separate primary and secondary training through the single new institution, the "Institut Universitaire de Formation des Maitres." The process of transition to this new institute has been difficult, largely due to powerful resistance shown by university and secondary school interests to the inclusion of professional studies and teaching methodologies. (SM)

Examined adolescents views about sex education, specifically their views about interaction in single- and mixed-sex groups. Surveys of English secondary school students indicated that most girls, and one-third of boys, want some or all of their sex education to be delivered in single-sex groups. Girls' experiences of sex education with boys illustrated numerous reasons why they believed they might gain greater benefit from single-sex classes. (SM)

In this interview, Cuban psychologist and scholar Franklin Martinez discusses the importance of early childhood education to the development of intelligence. Education affects child development, but it is the knowledge of child learning and development that makes education effective, not material resources. Cuba has invested heavily in preschool education and has one of the most educated populations in the world. (TD)

Provides a philosophical/theoretical contextualization of how two movements (the Zapatista social mobilization uprising and the constitutional reforms and state decrees on education, culture, and customs) impacted the formation of Indigenous Teachers in Mexico, examining the considerations needed and pitfalls encountered by social activists, researchers, and authors as they worked to create and institute an Intercultural Teacher Education for the diverse indigenous populations of Mexico. (SM)

Canada Natives have experienced many educational changes. Their traditional education and culture were negated by Euro-Western schooling, leaving Aboriginal people in a deficit position without a strong voice for many years. Only recently have Aboriginal people strengthened their voice in calling for their cultural values and beliefs to be the focus of learning. The medicine wheel provides an organizing typology for redefining Indian education. (TD)

Surveyed elementary teachers regarding the impact on special education of three comprehensive reform models (Accelerated Schools, Roots and Wings, and Voices of Love and Freedom). There were no differences in educators' perceptions of the models related to professional development, resources, pedagogical changes, or outcomes. Teachers reported increased inclusion and social interaction for special education students. Weaknesses included fast-paced curricula and lack of modifications for special education students. (SM)

Examined the relationship between teacher preparation and health teaching self-efficacy among elementary and secondary preservice teachers. Student teacher pre-post surveys indicated that students felt most comfortable teaching topics covered in the health classes they were enrolled in. Elementary education majors and minors had lower perceived ability to teach health than did secondary education majors and minors. (SM)

British government policies promoting public-private partnerships enabled the privatization of failing schools. In the U.S., the private sector has drawn upon a political network of well-financed institutions to advance privatized education, most recently among charter schools. Privatization has not yet been very successful, but promises to be part of the future educational landscape. (Contains 67 references.) (TD)