Reports on a study of the impact of group work with computers on male and female interaction in two classes of 9 to 10-year-old British students. Addresses concerns that, despite teachers' sensitivity to gender issues, expected benefits of intervention do not occur. Recommends increased emphasis on collaborative group work. (CFR)

Reflects on one person's efforts to develop a collaborative action research methodology for evaluating professional development. Focuses on the development of an inside methodology for teachers. Sets out a range of issues and identifies some tentative principles of procedure. (CFR)

Reviews key ideas of action research in the past 15 years, particularly those of John Elliott. Describes and comments on the main characteristics of action research. Focuses on methodological and epistemological issues related to its practice. (CFR)

Focuses on the purposes, prejudices, practices, and contexts of teacher educators in higher education and schools. Suggests research routes that might contribute to their thinking and action and, ultimately, to their students. Proposes a partnership model of qualitative research and development. (CFR)

Reports on an action research study by a classroom teacher with 24 12-year-old students to determine whether they can work effectively in cooperative groups without training. Recommends that teachers take time to discover interpersonal relationships and factors in the students' social framework. (CFR)

Reports on an action research study to determine the possibilities of extending language development opportunities for 26 male 4 to 5-year-old students. Describes teaching methods used, including story telling, questioning, and drama. Explores issues that emerged during the study and evaluates teacher behavior. (CFR)

Asserts that there is an educational crisis in the Arkhangel'sk area of Russia. Summarizes research studies of students and teachers to illustrate low teacher morale, student dissatisfaction, and low pay for all educators. Argues for financial autonomy for educational institutions. (CFR)

Maintains that social change and declining economic conditions have created barriers to higher education on Sakhalin Island, a state within Russia. Discusses factors that determine whether or not secondary school graduates apply for postsecondary education. Includes five tables of relevant data. (CFR)

Reports on a survey of youth crime, youthful criminals, and efforts at resocialization in contemporary Russia. Asserts that political and social change have resulted in social stratification and criminal behavior. Maintains that the high level of recidivism is caused by a lack of coordinated efforts by public institutions. (CFR)

Maintains that the development and functioning of educational systems are characterized by specific internal contradictions, which are reflected in the form of theoretical problems. Discusses social functions of educational systems, including education and labor and the problems of continuing education. (CFR)

Reports on a study that assessed the impact of school restructuring on academic achievement and student engagement among 11,794 10th-graders. Finds that students' gains in achievement and engagement were significantly higher in schools with restructuring practices and were associated with smaller high schools. (CFR)

Maintains that intellectual ability has become a more important determinant of occupational success in recent decades, resulting in increased social class differences. Finds that, contrary to the usual view, class differences have become smaller and current social problems cannot be ascribed to low-ability people in the lower classes. (CFR)

Reports on a study of student characteristics and the school organization to confirm the findings of previous studies on the importance of individual characteristics to track placement. Concludes that systematic differences among schools suggest that track placement is more complex than previous research has shown. (CFR)

Reviews the national social studies standards developed and disseminated by the National Council for the Social Studies. Discusses 3 purposes and 10 operating assumptions of the standards. Responds to six questions that examine the standards within the classroom context. (CFR)

Maintains that the United States needs an environmentally literate citizenry capable of taking individual action and making informed public policy decisions. Asserts that environmental education is interdisciplinary and draws from the social studies, the sciences, language arts, and the fine arts. (CFR)