At a British university, a postgraduate workshop prepared preservice teachers to work with parents by interviewing parents at the cooperating school on their perceptions of education and parents' role in schooling. (SK)

Includes "Introduction" (Chitty); "Political Parties, Ideology, and National Curriculum" (Lawton); "First Three National Curricula and Millenium" (Graham); "Politics of Curriculum in European Perspective" (McLean); "Curriculum Scene in the United States" (Holt); "Similar but Different" (Hughes); "Curriculum Development in New Zealand" (Philips);…

Over 2,300 13- to 14-year olds in 7 mixed and 6 single-sex English high schools were tested on their attitudes to science, specific subjects, and school and asked to rank all school subjects in terms of liking and perceived importance. Results confirmed the tendency toward greater polarization of attitudes in mixed schools. (SK)

A survey of 216 bachelors in education (BE) students and 173 postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) students found that nearly 58 percent of BE and 40 percent of PGCE students had very little or no computer experience; more PGCE than BE students had positive feelings about computers; and lack of knowledge or experience were primary reasons…

Traces the development of education in colonial societies and educational policies in postcolonial nations, showing trends toward greater inequalities. Concludes that curriculum should focus less on empirical/analytical and practical/social knowledge and more on critical emancipatory knowledge. (SK)

A group of 17 arts teachers used written observation, informal interviews, case study notes, photographs, drawings, and journals to illuminate multicultural issues in teaching and learning. A model for teaching effectiveness emerged, which identified teacher preparation and interaction behaviors that would enhance learning in a multicultural…

Twenty-six teachers from 10 special teaching units in Southeast England completed a questionnaire indicating that (1) they clearly distinguished between school refusers and truants and (2) teacher ratings of students' self-esteem, stability, attitudes, and other characteristics differed from self-reported ratings of school refusers and truants.…

This paper first considers the inadequacy of definitions of dialect speech that are too rigid. Some of the ways in which dialect can influence the performance of children in school are discussed, and the notion that dialect is an indication of linguistic deficit is also considered. In the last part of the paper, the attitude of the Schools Council…

This collection of papers concerns itself with language in a total situation. Specifically, there is a concern for linguistic capability, how it is to be defined, how it can be assessed, and how it is to be developed. Seven sections are included: (1) Introduction: Context of Situation; (2) Language in a Social Perspective; (3) Language and…

"Focussing on Equal Rights in Teacher Education (TE)" (Davies); "Place of Women in TE" (Maguire, Weiner); "UN Convention on the Rights of the Child" (Osler); "Parents and Entitlement" (Holden et al.); "International Political Development and Democratic TE" (Harber); "Equal Rights in the Classroom?" (Klein); "Equality of Educational Opportunity in…

Case studies in four Scottish primary schools of beginning teachers identified crucial elements: induction program for transition from college to teaching; experienced teacher support; making explicit the roles and responsibilities of all; and regular, supportive, structured feedback. (SK)

Although special units for students with emotional and behavioral difficulties are supposed to be integrated within British comprehensive schools, study of one unit revealed a complex process of labeling and stereotyping that marginalized these students, a large proportion of whom were from minority groups. (SK)

Review of research on home schooling shows evidence that home-educated children are socially, intellectually, and academically well developed. Reasons for effectiveness include natural learning, application of varied forms of discipline, adaptation to learning styles, flexible use of curricula, efficient use of time, information access, first-hand…

Reflections of 16 beginning teachers and 9 who served as "buddy" mentors showed that the mentors provided personal and emotional support and task-related and problem-related assistance and advice. However, they sometimes lacked knowledge of progressive teaching methods, were unable to address development of teaching style, and did not fill the…

The 1988 Chicago Reform Act has empowered minority parents to create change in their children's schools. Britain's Education Reform Act of 1988 had the same intent, but school governing bodies are still dominated by professionals, politicians, and business representatives. (SK)