This issue of "Service-Learning Network" identifies the skills that students need to become responsible citizens in a democracy. In the issue's lead article, a definition of civic responsibility is created after examining a broad array of competencies and skills put forth by prominent organizations in the field, and a list of…

Participants at a forum in Lisbon, Portugal, discussed training of trainers in the European Community. Discussions centered on the changes taking place in production systems and ways in which occupational activities are performed, the changing roles and concepts of vocational training, and the growing diversity of users. Problems surrounding…

An examination is made of the increasing educational demands of the modern workplace during a time when the makeup of an already shrinking workforce is becoming more composed of minorities, women, and immigrants. Articles in this newsletter issue discuss which jobs will grow and which will decline; the new educational demands and skills required…

Noting that while high school students have received instruction in reading and writing, few have received any instruction in speaking and listening skills, this document advocates a greater recognition of the need for a more realistic balance of instruction in the four communication areas than has traditionally been the case. Sections of the…

A comparison of the socialization and skill development of engineers in France and Japan reveals clear differences in the education/training, status, and professional/career development of engineers in the two countries. In France, engineers complete more than 5 years of initial training after the baccalaureate degree and subsequent entry into…

This newsletter covers educational issues affecting schools in the Western Regional Educational Laboratory's 4-state region (Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah) and nationwide. The following articles appear in the Volume 4, Number 1 issue: (1) "The Roots of Reading"; (2) "Breaking the Code: Reading Literacy in K-3"; (3)…

In six articles on racquet sports, the origins of the games are traced, methods for teaching skills such as footwork, racquetball strategy, and badminton techniques are discussed, and the biomechanics of the one- and two-handed backhand in tennis are reviewed. Information about paddle tennis is included. (PP)

The inservice education learning module described here focuses on developing effective communication between parents and teachers with the intent of imparting knowledge and skills to teachers which help them to involve parents in the education of their children. The kit speaks to the problems of the special needs child but is designed to be useful…

Issues pertaining to thinking skills are discussed in an attempt to clarify what thinking skills are and their components, how they function and how they can be developed in the teaching-learning environment. Chapter 1 reviews the definitions of thinking skills. These definitions are selected from the current literature on education and…

This issue focuses on assisting adolescents with serious emotional handicaps to make transitions from youth serving systems into society. A framework for developing transition-oriented programs is prevented that incorporates into the specific service goals of the current environment the skills required to function in the projected environment.…

In 1995, Neva M. Viise compared the spelling development of 195 child and 124 adult literacy learners by examining their spelling errors. Children and adults showed similar mastery in recognizing consonants and short vowel inclusions; however, the adults experienced much more difficulty marking syllables in words and were more likely to omit…

This special topic issues focuses on workplace literacy. "Literacy Practices in Today's Workplace" (Larry Mikulecky) provides a picture of demands and practices in workplace literacy. "Workplace Literacy Skills: Making Reading Work for Work" (Esther Minskoff) advocates use of contextual instruction and offers guidelines for providing workplace…

A collection of articles on the lifelong process of motor development focuses on: (1) neural changes in lifespan motor development; (2) the effects of developmental memory differences on learning motor skills; (3) physical growth and motor performance; (4) motor development in children with learning disabilities; (5) a motor development program…

This issue of a biannual journal on vocational training focuses on national and European Community initiatives for the training of trainers. The 14 articles are as follows: "Training Personnel--The Mainstay of Success" (Helmut Brumhard); "Training of Trainers--An Essential Subject in the Social Dialogue" (Joao Proenca);…

Reports from the National Commission on Excellence in Education, the Carnegie Commission, and recent survey responses from colleges and universities across the United States have verified suspicions about student inabilities to demonstrate acceptable levels of literacy skills. The first step toward achieving excellence is structuring, demanding,…