This study was designed to examine the motivation levels of middle school aged children in public schools. It is part of a larger project that seeks to determine the children's problem solving approaches to their schoolwork and common social problems. A cohort of age and gender matched participants from Beijing, China was added for a…

These essays explore why the historic conflict between blacks and whites in the United States has become a crisis that divides many African Americans. The changing racial dynamic is not marked by conflicts. between the black middle class and the poor, black men and women, the black intellectual elite and rappers, black politicians and the urban…

This study investigates the reasons for science teachers' tendencies to teach socio-scientific issues in their classrooms. Teaching social problems is highly recommended in science education to increase student understanding of economical, environmental, political, and ethical issues in science. Results indicate that teachers show a positive…

The elderly are projected to make up a quarter of the U.S. population by the year 2025. This teaching kit introduces students to the major issues surrounding the growth of the elderly population. Young people whom older citizens are counting on for care and support are, for the most part, unaware of the impact that this burgeoning older population…

This book offers a balanced introduction to and examination of contemporary Japanese education that considers criticisms of Japanese schooling practices made by the participants themselves. While the post World War 2 system of schooling has provided valuable ingredients for economic success, the book argues that these have been accompanied by…

This paper discusses the problem of African American adult literacy not as a problem of individuals, but as a problem integrally connected to African American communities. Part 1 describes the National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS) and provides an overview of results for African Americans. The NALS sample was composed of approximately 13,600…

In the nonprofit sector, greater attention is being focused on individuals who have a vision for social change and financial resources to support their ideas. These social entrepreneurs exhibit all the skills of successful businesspeople and a powerful desire for social change. Others have described them as follows: (1) pathbreakers with a…

This paper discusses the need for social workers to commit themselves to working with persons with developmental disabilities and the need for social workers to gain expertise in the field of developmental disabilities. Problems within the social work profession and the field of developmental disabilities that have prohibited the meeting of these…

This TIP, on the best practice recommendations for the treatment of substance abuse, presents guidelines for ensuring continuity of care as offenders with substance use disorders move from incarceration to the community. Research indicates that treatment gains may be lost if treatment is not continued after the offender is released from…

A sociodrama workshop was used to address diversity issues on a residential college campus experiencing problems with prejudice and the acceptance of diversity. Fifteen members of the community participated and a survey was used to determine the problems. A sociodrama exercise helped members understand what it was like to be discriminated against.…

Advanced technologies are changing the way teaching and learning are conducted and experienced in the world of distance education. Network environments such as the Internet have formed a new virtual education world for online learners. In distance education, the instructor and learner are physically separated. Interactivity is an important part of…

The papers in this collection explore a variety of economic and social issues facing Latino adolescents, including those of Latino diversity or unity, sexuality, and family values. The authors discuss ways to respond to these issues, suggesting approaches that can contribute to the healthy development of Latino adolescents. The chapters are: (1)…

This instructional guide is intended to be used with the six-part videotape "Russia and the Other Former Soviet Republics in Transition." The guide comprises essays that provide critical background information needed to understand the issues and events under discussion, which are the new countries that have grown out of the former Soviet…

Each year the Constitutional Rights Foundation creates a mock trial that addresses serious matters facing young people. This year the lesson confronts the recent shootings at U.S. schools and the subsequent criminal trials. The nature of such violence and its causes including unresolved peer conflict, questions of responsibility, peer pressure,…

The origin of our quality of life problems is explained within a historical and international perspective. Two sample problems are analyzed to illustrate the effects of the causes of quality of life problems and to propose solutions to these problems. (KM)