In this nationwide opinion survey, high school seniors generally rated their teachers and schools highly, though academically successful students gave higher ratings. Dissatisfactions with school environment concerned discipline and drug problems, and seniors wanted to offer solutions. Data are related to grades, socioeconomic background, and…

Presents a historical, national, and legal overview of home schooling. Reviews official responses and constitutional limits on state regulation and offers suggestions on ways that public educators and home-schoolers can improve their relationship. Recommends that public officials take initial steps to bridge the communication gap. (CJH)

The Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) Program offers students in 5,000 schools a complete curriculum for all grade levels that stresses Christian values and American patriotism through structured individual packets, which allow each student to work at his or her own pace. Evaluates social studies units for grades 7 to 11. References included.…

An Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) program developer rebuts observations made by Dan B. Fleming and Thomas C. Hunt. Distinguishes areas of program philosophy from secular humanism; points out that achievement test scores are higher among ACE program students; and responds to criticisms of grade program units. (CJH)

State and federal policymakers should consider research findings that demonstrate how quality early childhood programs prevent later academic failure among children from low-income families. Recommends ways funding and programs should be implemented. References included. (CJH)

Public kindergarten in the last 12 years has experienced five positive trends: (1) more children have access; (2) local funding and control have increased; (3) more five-year-olds attend for longer hours; (4) states hire more experienced teachers; and (5) more states require schooling at age five. (CJH)

UNESCO nations were surveyed about education of gifted children. Developed nations' programs were most extensive, Communist countries were wary of elitism, and developing nations had more pressing concerns. Nations had difficulties with identifying "gifted" students, funding, and finding qualified teachers, but commitment to programs for these…

Do proficiency tests show whether students are gifted? Are programs for the talented properly funded? Confusion among programs for gifted students indicates that guidelines should be established, including weighing the gifted label for each program and linking programs to special talents. References included. (CJH)

A statewide "Dialogue in Education" in Minnesota--beginning with "town meetings"--has helped policymakers to find strategies and programs to focus on adults' and students' objectives. Citizens' priorities include the basic skills, maintaining the current curriculum, and improved graduation competencies. (CJH)

A "gallant Jewish liberal" teacher describes the complexity of cultures in classroom conflict. A native Spanish-speaking girl in remedial English challenged his assumptions about the importance of written texts and acceptable teacher-student interactions. (CJH)

Tenured faculty are normally terminated only for just cause. In "Milbouer v. Keppler," however, an Idaho district court upheld faculty members' discharge when Boise State University declared a financial exigency. Examination shows that this definition of financial exigency derived from budget reductions that affected small program enrollments…

In Europe, global interdependence has defeated conventional approaches to studying Europe. "European Studies"--popular during the seventies--became academically colonized and impoverished. "Europe across the curriculum" is presently risking diffuseness. Treatment of Europe in European schools will have to be coherent, sequential, and…

To guide Alaskan Natives and minority students from adolescence to productive adulthood, the Yukon-Koyukuk school district's Postsecondary Counselor Program has successfully developed academic and urban survival skills. The program tracks students through programs, hospitals, and centers. The model could be adapted for students seeking employment…

Although successful dropout assistance programs depend on effective implementation, casework, and long-term followup activities, the literature only occasionally addresses these practices. This article reviews data collection problems, major risk factors, reforms aimed at actual and potential dropouts, and alternative school programs. Second…

Policymakers at state and district levels disagree on definitions for terms such as "dropout,""withdrawn,""removed," and "early leaver." Until these terms acquire generally accepted meanings allowing comparisons across school district and state lines, existing information processing technology will be only marginally beneficial. Includes three…