A national strategy to provide literacy education for all older Canadians who need it is described in this document. Developed in response to a 1989 survey finding that 64 percent of Canadians aged 55-69 experience some degree of trouble with everyday reading material, the strategy includes a rationale, objectives, and a 3-year start-up plan to…

Small, sometimes multi-cultural, rural schools need specialized preservice teacher education programs to prepare teachers. After outlining the classroom, school, and sociocultural characteristics affecting a teacher's success and survival in a rural community, this paper discusses the apparent lack of rural content in teacher preparation programs…

Results of a survey of 60 United States and 10 Canadian dental schools concerning the availability, content, and design of faculty development activities are reported. Formal, informal, exchange, retreat, and social activities related to faculty development were investigated. (MSE)

This collection of conference papers examines some of the broad issues as well as specific institutional approaches to postbaccalaureate certificate programs. The first paper, "A Survey of Graduate Certificate Policies, Procedures, and Programs" (Wayne Patterson), reports on a survey of the members of the Council of Graduate Schools…

This paper summarizes some of the developments which have occurred since the 1960s in gifted child education and teacher training for the gifted. Discussed are the major types of programs which have evolved and their underlying assumptions, debates in the field, and estimates for the future. (Author/SJL)

Two day-long college events--wilderness orienteering and a role-playing canoe trip into the past--illustrate ingredients critical for experiential learning: active learning, student focus, clear purpose, emotional investment and risk, holistic engagement, mixture of content and process, stepping outside one's comfort zone, meaningful…

Examined parent, teacher, and child care staff views on coordination between part-day school and child care. Found some key differences among the groups in priorities for programs for kindergarten-age children. Devised arguments in favor of small-scale demonstration programs to expand provision of child care services and for rigorous evaluation of…

The key concepts and methodologies of quality assurance programs used in health service delivery systems are reviewed, and it is suggested they could be readily applied to Canadian universities as a powerful administrative and curricular development tool that would define and enhance the quality of students' educational experiences. (Author/MSE)

This document presents a discussion of how to set up an on-campus peer support system designed to help college students cope with stress. The possible functions of a peer support center are outlined and features of a proposal for such a center are listed, including a clear mandate of the center, a rationale for the services to be provided, a list…

Three program types for foreign student second language instruction in Canada involve sheltered subject-matter instruction at (1) a university, (2) a university adjunct or support program, and (3) a private "visa school" established solely to prepare foreign students for university or college entrance in Canada or the United States. The…

This paper outlines four existing policies for setting up language programs for immigrants: (1) total withdrawal; (2) absence of policy; (3) partial integration; and (4) total integration. The strengths and weaknesses of each approach are analyzed. (CFM)

Describes Metro Toronto Children's Aid Society program, a Father's Support Group, designed to serve men with history of problems through support and counseling on topics such as alcoholism, drug addition, and child and wife abuse. The program's emphasis on value and importance of father's role aims to enhance parenting abilities. Three case…

This article provides information on special education topics on the international front. Topics range from a BrailleNote project in British Columbia, a Swedish program to help Romanian children with special needs, a visual resource room to help New Zealand students with visual impairments, and technology programs in European countries. (CR)

Results of a large-scale evaluation of early and middle immersion programs in the Toronto (Ontario) area, involving 4 districts and 26 grade 8 classes, suggest that middle immersion yields less consistent performance levels than early immersion. Overall, findings favor early immersion. (11 references) (Author/MSE)

This reflective paper began with a discussion of the online program design and delivery experiences of three senior faculty members at the University of Calgary (Canada) and Deakin University (Australia), which was recorded at Deakin University. After drawing on this recording in their research and practice, one faculty member from each…