Notes certain disquieting trends that affect the publication and the reading of children's books; discusses a number of reasons why children read, including for information, to please adults, for instant gratification, for illumination of self, for escape, and for reassurance and deep satisfaction of a vicarious triumph. (GT)

The new heroes and heroines who reject middle-class values and rewards are seeking fulfillment outside the mainstream and subtly altering the American profile. (LBH)

Author traces the evolution of problems in American education since the second world war, stating that: "As a group of people, we are prone to apply simplistic solutions to complex problems, to engage in crusades, to romanticize, to look for heroes." (Author/RW)

Examines the theoretical framework of psychologist Lev Vygotsky with regard to communication tools, cognition, and socio-cultural effects on these tools. Reports the results of several studies of students' word meanings of division by adapting Luria's instruments for alternative assessments. Discusses the implications of socio-cultural diversity,…

Many Middle Eastern students in Western graduate programs in higher education wish to undertake evaluations of home country institutions, but their approaches reflect significant cultural differences. Issues confronting students and supervisors in this context are discussed, and a relatively recent "fourth generation" approach to…

A study examined the effect of a course on societal oppression on 222 graduate social work students. Subjects and a control group tended to accept a "just world" ideology; acceptance increased among class participants. Self-reported advocacy behaviors also increased, and students who believed in a just world and reported fewer advocacy behaviors…

Describes effects of the burgeoning information culture on the community college mission, suggesting that colleges can focus on providing learning rather than filling classrooms. Argues that the information network currently being built represents a fifth utility for communities. Provides seven practical first steps for colleges seeking to…

Data from a survey of 4,809 Russians were used to examine the association between educational attainment and first occupation for Russians who completed their education and entered the labor market between 1970 and 2000. The results confirm previous findings of continuity in social stratification in post-Soviet Russia, despite rapid, major…

Reports on a 2-year study about teaching and learning mathematics for social justice in an urban, Latino classroom and the role of a National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards-based curriculum. Uses qualitative, practitioner-research methodology. Indicates that the standards-based curriculum was also important in promoting…

Reviews demographic data, highlighting changes in U.S. demographics from Census 2000 and other sources, and exploring the relevance for education, particularly teacher education. The paper notes that given the push for standardized test scores as educational reform, schools of education will eventually be held accountable for the knowledge and…

School-based speech pathologists, school psychologists, and child psychiatrists (n=185) were surveyed to examine the role of sociocultural variables on clinicians' impressions of children with autism and related developmental disorders. Professional perceptions of children in hypothetical vignettes varied as a function of both practitioner's…

Discusses an interview focusing on important topics relevant to sociolinguistics and language minorities. Points out that one topic, ethnicity, is among many of the urban phenomena central to the study of linguistics as well as ethnic minorities and that a discussion of sociolinguistics and language minorities entails discussion of racism,…

Investigates young people's expression of mathematical ideas with a computer, the nature of mathematical practices, and the problem of mathematical meaning from cognitive and socio-cultural perspectives. Describes a mathematical activity system designed for learning and the role of digital technologies in helping to understand and reshape the…

Compares family resources per child across racial and ethnic groups in 1940 and 1950. Finds that economic differences among children of European ancestry were minor compared to the gap between Whites and non-Whites (or Mexican-Americans), primarily related to differences in income of household head. Contains 21 references. (SV)

Traces how the "Great Migration" of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North in the early part of the century has resulted in a "Lost Generation" of urban youth. Emphasizes the need for a reconstruction of the traditional African American family and a renewed commitment to social action. (FMW)