Suggests that research aimed at examining the effect of death education courses may be limited by the instructor's lack of awareness of the conditions necessary to promote change. Explores the parallels between death education and group psychotherapy and the factors inherent in seminar-type death education courses. (Author/JAC)

Schools play too many roles; their fundamental purpose is teaching basic skills, computer literacy, sciences, languages, and civics. This report acknowledges the importance of state and local control, but argues that only the federal government can pursue the national interest in having quality schools, equality of access, and quality control. (PB)

The difficulties surrounding the application of educational research are explored from the point of view that an empirical understanding of the social sciences is not as effective as a common sense approach to human behavior called "interpretative understanding." Shortcomings of empiricist methodology, laws, and interpretation are…

The effects of the Performance Based Teacher Education (PBTE) movement are categorized into six areas: (1) conscience-pricker; (2) clarifier of educational purpose; (3) bridge between theory and practice; (4) humanizer of educational process; (5) stimulator of research and development; and (6) change catalyst. (CJ)

In assessing the validity of a norm-referenced model used in evaluating large-scale federal educational programs for disadvantaged children, gain estimates were shown as approximately equal with randomized control group model estimates compared by retrospective analyses of two databases. (Author/CM)

Describes development of an instrument to define and evaluate certain aspects of the model and assess its use. Levels of implementation were significantly lower than levels of agreement with the model. Differences could not be attributed to student/staff ratio, or the training and experience of the student personnel administrator. (JAC)

Discusses a study undertaken to discover whether any change of attitude towards teacher participation in school decision making occurred among a group of student teachers between the completion of their college course and the end of their probationary year. Findings indicated that the most satisfied probationers had been the less liberally…

In an interview, Willard Wirtz discusses his recent report, "Measuring the Quality of Education." Wirtz believes that the National Assessment of Educational Progress should be widely publicized and used and directed toward framing nationwide standards of educational quality. (Author/WD)

The evaluation of the reading programs in the Eugene, Oregon, public schools is described. Emphasis is placed on the eclectic approach to reading in the district prior to the evaluation and on the effect of using staff members as evaluators in their own district. (CTM)

Explains how social studies classroom teachers can use a biographical approach to citizenship education. The approach is often successful with upper elementary and junior high school students because they are generally interested in new and different ideas at this stage and are beginning to be able to handle reading material such as biographies.…

Principals and teachers in a Utah school district rated the quality of new teachers compared to experienced teachers and determined areas of strength and weakness reflected from a teacher training program. Concluded that teacher training institutions in this area are providing training for new teachers consistent with current needs. (Author/JAC)

Compares energy education in Brazil and the United States. Topics discussed include the Brazilian setting, government initiatives, dependence on foreign fuel sources, public reaction, schools and energy education, and mass media involvement. (DB)

A comprehensive evaluative report on educational policies and instructional programs for non-English-speaking minority immigrant children in Ontario is discussed. Sixteen recommendations are made encouraging federal, provincial, and local support of multi-ethnic educational programs. (PMJ)

Maintaining that social studies classes should teach students to participate and acquire a feeling of political efficacy, the article suggests ways of introducing social participation into the formal curriculum. Ways of using students groups to promote participation are outlined. (DB)

The skilled school communication specialist, when describing research-related information to the community, can build trust in the schools and bridge the research/power structure/community gap. (Author)