Raises questions about current rural sociology from a critical theory perspective. Provides a brief historical analysis of its theoretical and applied roots. Suggests interweaving of research, practice, and advocacy as way to bring rural sociologists back into policy making. (LFL)

Defines artificial intelligence (AI) and expert systems; describes library applications utilizing AI to automate creation of document representations, request formulations, and design and modify search strategies for information retrieval systems; discusses expert system development for information services; and reviews impact of these…

Notes that traditional views of nineteenth century comparative education (a period of Eurocentric "borrowing") neglect western selection and transfer of educational models to the Third World ("selective lending"). Traces the first three decades of colonial Zaire's experience--beginning in 1877--which illustrate the…

Analysis of journal article titles indicates research administrators' interests and concerns have turned from research administration as an occupation to the nature and sociolegal aspects of research, reflecting the changing environment of research. (MSE)

Changing expectations of major groups affected by higher education (employers, consumers of research, young people, nontraditional student groups) are compared with broader political interpretations of community needs (equality, investment, other functions) in the context of experiences of Austria, Sweden, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United…

Discusses confidence in learning math, anxiety, attributions of success and failure, and perceived usefulness of mathematics for both elementary and secondary samples. Three models for research are presented, and directions for future research are discussed. (RH)

Focuses on the impact of overseas training on national development objectives in Sub-Saharan Africa. Reviews the current economic crisis in Africa and the need for high-level, skilled workers. Examines the advantages and disadvantages of foreign study as a means of developing competent indigenous professionals. Notes pertinent research issues. (SB)

A review of 33 research studies which examined issues surrounding answer-changing behavior on objective tests indicated that (1) the majority of answer changes are from incorrect to correct, (2) most students who change their answers improve their test scores, and (3) most test-takers change answers. Future research needs are discussed. (RM)

The chairman of the Committee on Labs and Centers, National Council on Educational Research, policymaking body for the National Institute of Education (NIE), states that education issues cannot be separated from questions of philosophy. Shared values represent an appropriate and useful utilization of taxpayer money at NIE. (MLF)

Advantages and disadvantages of videodisc-based programs for training military paramedics were explored by comparing instructor-controlled and student-controlled videodisc groups with each other and with a control group taught by traditional methods. Results indicate reduced instructional time with no achievement loss and high user satisfaction…

Great Britain's changeover to comprehensive schools has been called one of its most significant developments in secondary education. A description and comparison of four studies which evaluated secondary students' academic performance under this comprehensive system shows that there is an overriding need for more and better information concerning…

Recognizing that children today will spend almost half of their lives as grandparents, this paper examines grandparenthood and the grandparent-grandchild relationship. The paper focuses on the grandparent role, discussing styles and dimensions of grandparenting. A number of variables are discussed directly affecting grandparenting: (1) age of…

This study quantified the benefits to children and parents participating in nine early intervention programs and conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the Perry Preschool and the Elmira Prenatal/Early Infancy Project (PEIP). The findings indicated that early intervention programs led to the following advantages for program participants relative to…

High stakes assessment involves testing students for purposes such as grade level retention or advancement, high school graduation, selection for special programs or services, or for other "high stakes" consequences. Issues surrounding the high stakes assessment of English language learners (ELLs) were the focus of an August 1997 invitational…

A study was conducted to determine the degree of access that students with special needs have to secondary and postsecondary vocational education in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Client Reporting System as well as visits to 11 sites and in-depth profiles of a high school and a technical college provided data for the study. The study found that data…