Notes that the strengths of this book for educators about parent involvement include its strong Canadian perspective, the variety of family forms profiled, its focus on controversial issues, and the inclusion of numerous examples. Notes, however, that the work lacks opportunities for reflection and treats some important issues superficially.…

Reviews a guide to children's literature for and about Latinos, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. Suggests ways to improve the book's usefulness, including a more global perspective, more rigorous research about specific cultural references, and better student activities. Notes the work's strengths, including its…

Recent music education research is reviewed. Topics covered include teaching and learning, development and maturation, training, attitudes, perception and psychoacoustics, automated learning, creativity, and psychological theory. Questions for future research are suggested. Journal available from Council for Research in Music Education, School of…

Argues that excellence in art education is not elitist, but that commitment to excellence is a traditional democratic value. Elaborates by describing the nature of beneficial elitism. Concludes that a synthesis of beneficial elitism and beneficial populism are required for the success of art education in a democracy. (BSR)

Responds to Ralph Smith's essay, "The Question of Elitism," by arguing that translating the skills of critical thinking and value criteria to the classroom is problematic. Offers an analysis of why these skills are difficult to teach. (BSR)

Calls for a synthesis of beneficial elitism and beneficial populism to ensure excellence for all. Suggests that Robert Penn Warren's views on how to collapse dualisms between these two philosophies provides the key to their synthesis. Concludes by comparing differences between elitism and populism and examining questions raised by Ralph Smith's…

Reviews Ralph Smith's article "The Question of Elitism." Questions Smith's criteria for excellence and his assertion that art must be judged by a single, absolute scale. Argues that populism is pervasive in all aspects of American life and that elitism is deadening to culture. (BSR)

Points out that Ralph Smith's article, "A Question of Elitism," offers useful distinctions for advancing the cause of elitism in education. Contends that excellence and democratic values are indeed compatible. (BSR)

Notes that Piaget's theory of cognitive development was based on the child's interaction with material objects and quantitative relationships. Examines the applicability of Piaget's concept of operational intelligence and conservation to music learning. Concludes that a theory of music learning must apply equally to the non-material and…

Reports a study (n=18) that compared growth in music reading skills among a group of students taught note recognition in isolation with a group taught by strategies focusing on whole-to-part relationships. Results favored the whole-to-part strategy. (BSR)

Reviews a dissertation in which the problems of real-time pitch detection by computer were studied in an attempt to develop a learning tool for sightsinging students. Specialized hardware and software were developed to discriminate aural pitches and to display them in real-time using standard notation. (BSR)

Reviews a dissertation which examined the scoring practices for alto, bass, and contrabass clarinets in selected compositions written between 1951-1972. The study identified new practices for scoring low clarinets in wind band compositions. The study is recommended to readers seeking a good understanding of the use of clarinets in these…

Reviews a study that examined the adequacy of existing aesthetic rationales for music education. Expressing a commitment to continued exploration of a more pluralistic view of music education. (BSR)

Examines a dissertation that provides a classification and analysis of 197 "bebop" themes. Explains a major drawback of the study is the author's unwillingness to interpret his data and answer questions the study raises. Concludes with a rebuttal which defends the study and explains the research rationale. (BSR)

Reviews a study that examined the validity of different rating scales for measuring instrumental achievement with the clarinet. Rejects the contention that the new rating scales are superior to the Clarinet Performance Rating Scale. (BSR)