Discusses (1) the assumption that pop music can be legitimized in school by establishing that different criteria are necessary; (2) the attempt to provide appropriate analysis tools for music evaluation by arguing that music has a kind of social referent; and (3) the uses to which music is put. (Author/RM)

Contains a response to Swanwick's critique of the authors' sociological perspective on music education. A detailed presentation of the sociology of music thesis demonstrates that accusations of social determinism and referentialism are both misconceived. (Author/RM)

Considers the relationship of industry to schooling through an analysis of curricular materials made available to schools by industry. Argues that such materials offer the possibility for a critical pedagogy by encouraging students to see them as socially and politically situated texts open to interpretation and critique. (CMG)

Facts and figures about the growth of the physical fitness phenomenon in the United States are discussed. Millions participate in physical fitness activities and programs, and billions are spent on fitness. Better leadership, facilities, and programs are available than ever before. (PP)

Personality characteristics of husbands and wives were examined in two contexts: (1) traditional families, in which the husband was employed and the wife was a homemaker; and (2) two-career families, in which both members were employed. Results are discussed. (Author)

This study has been an attempt to provide insight into the question of the influence of school resources on how well students perform academically. It examined the nature of the relationships between educational resources, socioeconomic and racial characteristics, and student academic performance in Florida. (Author/RK)

Certain aspects of contemporary social change that deserve attention are examined, although as yet there is no adequate framework to guide future decision making. They include: occupations, classes, and the sociotechnical structure; urban developments; social and political action; work and leisure; family; organizations; beliefs and values; and…

The article discusses the: (1) history of the Qualla Cherokees--their villages, the seven clans, the Cherokee Nation, and the Trail of Tears; and (2) Qualla Cherokees today--their tribal government, education, and annual fall festival. (NQ)

Discusses the problem of defining linguistic areas, with specific reference to the various areas of Spanish in Latin America. (Text is in Spanish) (CLK)

Modeling is, and has been for the last 2000 years, the single most important vehicle of moral education in China. The legitimate role of man is to seek to be a model himself deserving of peer respect. There are both negative and positive effects upon Chinese society. (MS)

Language learning motivation is discussed, and some impressions are given of conditions affecting willingness to learn English well enough for purposes it is required to serve. (Author/RM)

Starting from the constructs "cultural scripts" and "social representations", and on the basis of the empirical research we have been developing until now, we revisit the construct norms from a sociocultural perspective. Norms, both sociomathematical norms and norms of the mathematical practice, as cultural scripts influenced…

Science programs funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) are increasingly involved in science education reform. Such entities are funded for science research and are expected to pursue educational activities with K-12 students and teachers. These efforts are often guided by ideas from current science education reform. The NSF Science and…

In this report, we give a sociocultural account of the mediating functions handheld graphing calculators and social interaction play in students' mathematical understanding. We discuss the evolution of students' abilities to symbolize, model, and develop collective mathematical practices about polynomial inequalities in instrumented activity. In…

This study uses discursive perspectives to study emotion in school mathematics. The researchers regard emotion as distinct but inseparable from cognition: the organizing metaphor portrays emotion as a charge attached to ideas or (chains of) signifiers. Based in language, emotions are seen as discursively formed, culturally constituted, and…