Reports on a study by 20 Chinese higher education institutions about educational finance. Compares the relationship between educational investment and per capita national income in 38 market economies and 3 centrally planned economies. Provides a formula that indicates the rate of increased funding necessary for educational reform in China. (CFR)

Asserts that divergent views about the level of educational funding in China exist among policymakers. Discusses the difficulty of measuring the Gross National Product and comparing it with other nations. Concludes that educational funding in China is much lower than other nations with comparable levels of economic development. (CFR)

Reports on field study of school rituals in two U.S. southern private schools. Finds one school's rules and procedures promoted scientific analysis, abstract thinking, and individualism, whereas other saw itself as nurturing community, seeking organic and interdependent relationship with world. Concludes both schools engender commitment and belief…

Reports on an ethnographic study of primary level science classes in Kenya where English is the government-mandated language of instruction. Finds that important ideas were conveyed more easily when teachers did not adhere to the policy of English-only instruction. Concludes that the importance of sociolinguistics in instructional processes should…

Examined preservice teachers' ability to use component-specific feedback to positively influence elementary students' performance on overhead throw. Researchers developed an instrument to record teachers' verbal behaviors concurrent with student performance. Analysis of videotapes indicated teachers had content knowledge but limited ability to…

This study examined secondary school students' attitudes toward physical education (PE) and sport from a multicultural perspective. Surveys indicated students considered PE important to their overall education. Students liked PE for fun and enjoyment. Many students had negative attitudes toward fitness. Some cultural differences surfaced, but they…

Article examines the processes of forming and implementing the British physical education (PE) national curriculum and presents the essential elements of the curriculum, discussing the effects of the national curriculum on British PE to date, and noting possible implications for PE in the United States. (SM)

Four articles discuss the preparation of dance educators and the development of dance teachers' competencies, focusing on the knowledge base for competent dance teaching, the preparation of effective teachers, motor learning knowledge in the dance education curriculum, and realities, myths, and priorities in dance teacher competency. (SM)

The ecological task analysis approach to teaching physical education provides a framework for the processes of assessment and instruction that differs from the traditional teacher-directed methods. The article discusses the model's advantages and describes how teachers can implement the model. (SM)

This article addresses the evaluation of new British programs designed to bring more experiential and active learning into the higher education curriculum. Some of the difficulties of assessing these programs are examined and political influences on evaluation are discussed. (MSE)

A University of Northumbria (England) survey found that Britain's new emphasis on experiential and active learning in higher education is more problematic for part-time than full-time students, despite greater life and work experience. Greater attention to these students' needs, motivations, learning attitudes, and existing knowledge and skill…

Strategies and techniques used in evaluation of British higher education consortia are described, focusing on constraints, purposes, and methods used. The context within which the evaluation takes place is seen as a strong influence on purpose and methods. Similarities and differences in evaluation of individual institutions and consortia are…

A discussion of issues in assessment of college student performance, at a time in which emphases in higher education are changing substantially, examines three alternatives to traditional evaluation methods: self-evaluation, peer evaluation, and collaborative assessment. All three are seen as promoting a student-centered, criterion-referenced,…

It is argued that self-assessment skills, used for planning and monitoring achievement, must be taught to college students. One method, use of a personal diary of progress, is described and illustrated. An alternative or complementary procedure for teaching self-assessment skills, which can be used with large groups, is also outlined. (MSE)

Describes an interactive multimedia primer on group process skills for preservice and inservice teachers that uses HyperCard and was designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and computer lab. Highlights include a theoretical orientation; primer sections, including small groups, leadership skills, and role playing; and results of a pilot…