This examination of gifted education in South Africa discusses such problems as the use of group psychometric tests, inequalities of schooling due to discrimination, and rote-learning environments. The subject of history is presented as a vehicle for development of inquiry and problem-solving skills. (JDD)

This article reviews use of the term "best practice" in special education and suggests that the term is misleading unless measurable criteria have been systematically applied. A proposed definition focuses on the theoretical basis for a procedure, integrity of the research design and extent of replication, consensus with literature, process and…

Discusses the present structure of the Polish education system and considers planned developments that are occurring as the result of changes in eastern Europe. Basic functions and principles of an educational system are described; the structure of the Polish educational system is explained; and management of school administration is considered.…

Discusses a two-hour interactive session with teacher leaders from the Colorado Partnership Mathematics Project during a retreat addressing the culture of mathematics instruction. Responds to the following questions: (1) What is culture? (2) What helps cultures change? and (3) What can educators do? Shares resources that support proposed…

Practitioners and theorists do not articulate the purposes, theory, and practices of social studies adequately because they lack a basic understanding of the historical background. Examples of myths that hinder research and the development of social studies as a field are given as the field's history is traced. (SLD)

This article identifies current problems that act as barriers to improved and expanded services and opportunities for blind and visually impaired people and their families, such as detachment of medical profession from service delivery, automatic student promotions, expectation of specialized programs in every district, parental choice of schools,…

Results of a survey of 145 special education administrators in 27 states are presented under 4 headings: student identification practices; service delivery; student exit procedures; and program evaluation practices. Findings indicate student identification procedures are fairly well developed, whereas student exit and evaluation practices are less…

This article presents findings from a report on educational services for students with emotional and behavioral disturbances. It describes problematic findings related to curriculum, behavior management, and mental health services and considers alternatives to prevailing current practices. (Author/DB)

Examines how upper-track college preparatory high schools in East Germany are being changed through restructuring and cultural reorientation following unification. Concludes that the gap between state-mandated reforms and teachers' perceptions of the goals of education is hindering implementation of changes. (SK)

A teacher appraisal instrument was developed and validated for a system of teacher evaluation in Rivers State (Nigeria). The developed Likert scale for teacher scoring was tested for 410 teachers evaluated by 16 headteacher evaluators. Initial findings suggest areas in which the appraisal process and instrument can be improved. (SLD)

Guidelines are presented for improving textbook adoption procedures to ensure that instructional materials address diverse learner characteristics and that educators receive necessary training to effectively use instructional materials to teach diverse learners. The guidelines are based on research reviews, document reviews, and fieldwork directly…

Although Section 19 of the British Education Reform Act is often seen as denying special needs pupils' entitlement to the National Curriculum, this article offers suggestions for more positive applications of the legislation. The article presents a case study, a flow chart illustrating the recommended process, an example of curricular…

To contribute to a knowledge base of effective educational practices, this article summarizes several thousand small-scale psychological experiments on classroom learning and analyses of large-scale national surveys in the United States and other countries. (22 references) (MLF)

It is worthwhile to develop the concepts and conventions that emerge from the child's culture in the teaching of elementary school mathematics, specifically geometry. The discussion is based on experiences with 7- to 12-year-old Navajo children in studies toward the development of a culturally relevant mathematics curriculum. (SLD)

Reviews the history of population education programs in Latin America and the Caribbean from 1970 to 1992 and changes in fertility, mortality, and migration during that period. Considers issues such as government styles and motivations, staff shortages, cooperation among administrators, teacher training, distance education, and new management…