Asserts that intelligent believers and nonbelievers share similar doubts and ethical commitments. Argues that education conscientiously taught for intelligent belief and nonbelief would result in greater communication between the two groups. Explores several curricular topics designed to illuminate and develop this thesis. (MJP)

The "6+1" model of writing assessment, which identifies six traits of good writing, is applicable to any language. In an Anchorage (Alaska) elementary school with a high proportion of English language learners, homeless children, and other disadvantaged youth, the model helps students write about their own ideas and experiences, thereby…

Describes an experimental, team-taught, low level ninth grade English class which emphasized writing. Discusses students, their writing, the use of journal writing, ability grouping, and what the classroom environment was like. Notes that students improved in all their other classes during the semester they spent in this class. (SR)

Colleges are grappling with decisions on whether ethnic studies courses should be required. Asian American students are responsive in Asian American studies courses when the class composition is largely Asian. With more White students in class, the Asian experience must be translated in a different way and Asian students become more reticent. (VM)

Discusses five variations of staff splitting, a psychological process that starts with seemingly innocent comments that fester in the subconscious of others, leading members of the staff to seek evidence of inconsistencies and individual differences. Provides explicit guidelines and insights about how to turn staff splitting into an opportunity…

The U.S. family--the backbone of earlier societies--is rapidly degenerating, indicating the need for a social or educational agency surrogate for family caring and supervision. Time has demonstrated value-neutral education's devastating effects on our nation and our social interactions. Educators must help emerging adolescents form realistic…

Discusses various issues related to gay and lesbian students and art education. These include the harassment, intimidation, and alienation experienced by gay and lesbian students. Briefly covers the creation of gay/lesbian teacher and student organizations and their attempts to address these problems. (MJP)

Argues that the social context of schools has been neglected in approaches to school violence. Children prone to violence are disadvantaged in their ability to participate meaningfully in the community of the school, thus impeding an avenue for prevention and intervention. Provides recommendations for practice. (MKA)

Ever since George Washington opted for the title of president rather than king, Americans have been uncomfortable with the idea of class distinctions. This article presents an interview with Dr. Janet Galligani Casey regarding the idea of class distinctions. Galligani Casey, who grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Somerville, Massachusetts,…

Although collaborative partnership between parents and professionals is a cornerstone of the special education and service systems, this relationship exists more as an ideal, especially when low-income, culturally diverse families are involved. Through three focus groups, we examined the beliefs of 16 low-income Latina mothers of young adults with…

Young African Americans face several critical issues such as dire economic circumstances, peer pressure, random violence, and feelings of alienation from the cultural mainstream in America. Black popular culture for these youth creates a value system born out of these same issues. This analysis will address the influence of Black popular culture…

This study examined a model of the simultaneous and interactive influence of social context, psychosocial attitudes, and individual maturity on the prediction of urban adolescent drug dealing. Five factors were found to significantly increase adolescents' opportunity for drug selling: low parental monitoring, poor neighborhood conditions, low…

In many countries today teaching has been identified as one of the most stressful occupations. The total annual cost of stress to the British Education Service has been estimated as high as 360 million U.S. dollars. The objective of this research study with teachers in the Department of Education at the University of Manchester was to identify…

College composition teachers face serious difficulties with student anger in trying to teach writing to poorly prepared students who do not see the need for learning standard English. Most teachers would agree that they are trying to teach writing in a much harsher, less receptive climate produced by powerful social forces over which they have…

This book offers the perspective that healthy child development results from family, school, and community environments that support and elicit the innate resiliency--or "self-righting mechanisms"--within every person. The book draws on and integrates several fields of research that support the movement in emphasis from risk to…