The 2002 restructuring of the national curriculum in all Japanese public elementary and secondary schools includes a reduction and reallocation of instructional hours, and the addition of a new "integrated studies" course, with an emphasis on more individualized, cross-curricular thematic projects. This reform comes at a time when a stagnant…

Influenced by worldwide globalization forces new structures of control have emerged in Mexico at the school level, and career ladders reward teachers' compliance with testing and training schemes; nevertheless the long-standing institutions of initial teacher education continue to show a strong resistance to change. Increased accountability is…

The paper discusses the process whereby a system of teacher evaluation was established in Chile through a lengthy and complicated process of negotiations between the three main institutions concerned: the Teachers' Union, the Association of Chilean Municipalities (managers of the public school system) and the Ministry of Education. The process is…

As an aesthetic form, architecture deals with the creation and definition of space expressed in buildings and other physical structures. The Colosseum in Rome, Notre Dame in Paris, and the United States capital in Washington, through their designs define space, capture our imagination, and communicate important cultural and historical messages.…

Reflects on the chapters of this theme issue and summarizes information about children as learners and knowledge about school mathematics, both of which are essential components for effective mathematics instruction. (SLD)

Focuses on "teacher professionalism" as the knowledge and skills of the professionals. Chapters of this special collection address issues pertaining to the importance of school culture on teacher professionalism, the role of on-line professional development, the professional knowledge base for teaching, and the development and use of teacher…

Describes this special double issue, which presents work on the topic of volition related to education. "Volition" entails plans to sustain motivation and implement goals, along with strategic regulation of cognition and affect in the completion of tasks. The first issue presents a theoretical overview of volition, and the second presents studies…

Discusses the volitional basis of Personality Systems Interaction Theory (PSI) and applies it to the improvement of conditions for learning and psychological treatment. The theory explains motivational and volitional phenomena, including concentration, coping with failure, identification and intrinsic commitment to personal goals, persistence, and…

The eight chapters of this theme issue consider some key questions about school transitions or transfers, including effects on students' academic achievement and attitudes, ways to facilitate transfer while maintaining curriculum links, and how evidence about transfers is best gathered. Discusses how much credibility to give students' accounts 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…

Examines the field of international traveler and nomadic education research and argues for the need to extend the boundaries of this "field" significantly. Research on the education of travelers and nomads is mobile and fluid, but the approach used in this collection, the mapping and celebration of international diversity, is needed to expand…

Traces the development of education in Nigeria for two migrant groups, nomadic pastoralists and migrant fishermen, and describes the current state of research on nomadic education in Nigeria. Suggests some concepts and research strategies that would engender greater understanding of nomadic education and promote international cooperation. (SLD)

Discusses a pilot scheme for literacy education for the Rabaris of Gujarat State, India to suggest possible ways to meet the critical literacy needs of Indian nomadic pastoralists. Reviews tensions between the Rabaris' desire to "learn to talk" though sedentary education and the peripatetic teaching program. (SLD)

Studied the education of Showground families in Scotland, a group of traveling show and fairground entertainers who tend to settle in one place for the winter, putting their children in the local schools. Data from many sources about the approximately 400 families in this group show weaknesses in the actions developed to address the…

Used participant observation, formal interviews, and policy documents to study the relationships between Fairground and Gypsy Traveler parents and the children's teachers in England. Teachers in the schools, which children attended only in the winter, were quite important to traveling families. Case study results suggest that power-sharing…