Case studies of nine Alberta charter schools examined the role of charter schools in educational reform. The real promise of charter schools resides less in fostering innovation and efficiency in public education, and more in providing parental school choice and addressing diverse values and goals of education. (Contains 28 references.) (Author/TD)

Ongoing study of five Canadian universities engaged in preservice teacher education reform is guided by three clusters of questions focusing on the nature and scope of teacher education reform efforts; the rationales for and intellectual and institutional commitments to reform; and the perspectives, roles, responsibilities, and relationships of…

The eight chapters of this theme issue examine how educational problems of minorities are often generated by the policy decisions that countries make. They analyze several educational systems to investigate the differences between official definitions of minority populations and how these populations define themselves, and they explore the need…

A study investigated the effects of major social, economic, and political disruption on the perceptions of 232 Cape Breton (Nova Scotia) teachers concerning their professional lives and identities. Teachers believed they were transmitters of information and values, but felt that those outside the school did not understand the stresses and nuances…

A study of 70 pairs of supervisory teachers and teacher interns at the University of Saskatchewan examined contextual supervision in the mentorship of student teachers' oral questioning skills. Findings indicate that supervisory skills improved, especially when supervisors adjusted their leadership styles to match protege development levels, and…

Explores the experiences of 17 Canadian seconded teachers--school teachers who act as university teacher-educators for a few years. Identifies seven phases of secondment and five central themes related to university and school cultures, reflective practice, seconded teachers' commitment to teaching and professional identities, and secondment as…

A School Advisor Association is proposed in Canada as a vehicle for recognizing and advancing the contribution that exemplary school advisors (cooperating teachers) make to the professional development of student teachers. Such an association could accredit school-based teacher educators and facilitate university-school cooperation in establishing…

To determine if the content in a sexual health fair was appropriate, a survey of 45 Ontario students in grades 9-10 assessed their knowledge of sexual health. Findings indicate that students had basic knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases, anatomy, and pregnancy prevention, but not about behavior in relationships. The health fair provided…

A study of 293 students from one graded and one nongraded elementary school found that primary and intermediate students in the ungraded school performed better in reading and math, and language and spelling, respectively. A second study of 134 students from two graded and two ungraded elementary schools found higher social skills in the nongraded…

Describes the development of a Web-based questionnaire for a survey about childrens' literature used by Alberta elementary teachers. Advantages included fast access to the instrument, protection against missing data, direct uploading of data, and avoidance of postage costs. Disadvantages included limited participation due to computer anxiety (even…

Examined student teachers' views about the influence of contributions from university professors, cooperating teachers, and other student teachers on their professional development. Journals of 16 student teachers show the meaningful roles of cooperating teachers and university supervisors. The quality of dialogue maintained during the practicum…

Explores how fairy tales address socio-emotional challenges children face during their socialization. Applies a structural theory of fairy tales to three literary versions of the Cinderella story. Suggests that the combination of simplicity of form and complexity of content makes the fairy tale a powerful tool for perception of and reflection on…

Studied the effects of the cooperative teaching method on the development of social helping behavior in 4 groups of 11-year-olds, 95 in all. Results indicate that it is possible to promote helping behavior if the children are given the opportunity to practice with several other children, but not if they always work with the same child. (SLD)

Asked 2 samples of Norwegian adolescents, about 2,500 10th graders and about 200 7th graders, who they most wanted to be like. More boys mentioned public figures, usually sports stars, movie stars, and pop artists, and more girls mentioned personal acquaintances. Compares results to those from a 1914 survey. (SLD)

Compared the self-concept and self-esteem of Estonian (n=196) and Finnish (n=165) adolescents during their final year of comprehensive schooling, the Estonians being the last graduates of the "Soviet School." Results showed a more positive attitude towards education and the classroom environment for Finnish students, especially for girls. (SLD)