Discusses forces working against traditional academic libraries, including bureaucrats who do not understand libraries and want to save money and people who think technology will be able to provide better access to information without any guidance. Topics addressed include money and power; the economics of the publishing industry; and funding for…

Discussion of model shifts in diffusion research focuses on the growth in the use of sex determination techniques in India and their consequences relating to gender and power. Topics addressed include development, underdevelopment, and modernization; the adoption of innovations; and meanings of innovations within particular social systems.…

Analyzes the obstacles to universal literacy in Africa including the colonial creation of a two-tier society, rapid population growth, and multiplicity of languages. Suggests that the power structure is such that it has a vested interest in the providing a limited amount of literacy without raising the populace's consciousness. (Contains 30…

An Australian study compared the views of 26 humanities and 26 social sciences university faculty members concerning the aspects of teaching they felt they could delegate to others. Social sciences faculty were more likely to approve of contracting tasks to others. Individuals differed in the extent to which they were willing to "contract…

Discusses how political science has shaped educational politics. Examines educational politics' contribution to political science theory-building, highlighting federalism, multiple power centers, race relations, and democratic schooling issues. Explores why educational politics researchers diverge from the new political science paradigm (the…

Presents a model for theoretical consideration of classroom practices by teachers themselves. An example of this interpretive process of theory informing practice, and reflection on practice then reshaping theory, is provided in this case study of two teachers who introduced portfolio reading and writing assessment programs in their secondary…

Examined socialist citizens' views of military crimes of obedience, their attitudes toward political dissent, and predictors of each. No relationship was found between respondents' attitudes about disobedience and their responses about political dissent. However, greater education was associated both with claiming that one would disobey and with…

The paper describes how preservice elementary teachers interpreted events in an elementary science teaching methods course that implemented innovative instructional strategies, exploring the benefits of student empowerment. Interviews, surveys, student journals, observation, and field notes provided data on syllabus negotiation, cooperative lesson…

School-based development and self-evaluation were introduced at 16 Scottish schools. After 15 months, 5 schools had made substantial progress toward their chosen priorities, whereas 2 had hardly begun. Conflicts were evident between the collegiate style of self-evaluation and the hierarchical power structure in most schools. (SV)

Three widely accepted assumptions about literacy education are discussed: (1) literacy is a social practice; (2) there exists a plurality of literacies; and (3) literacy educators must address issues of power. Implications for defining second-language composition ideology, research, and pedagogy are examined. (54 references) (Author/MSE)

Sleeter and Grant outline two assimilationist and three consciousness-raising approaches to multicultural education, whereas Nieto examines underachievement among minority groups. Both books advocate multicultural education promoting social change. Gibson and Ogbu suggest that immigrants are higher achievers than "involuntary" minorities…

The island of Mauritius is examined, where Creole is the language of interethnic communication, English is used in government, the judiciary and education, and French is the dominant language of economic and cultural power. The historical background, educational situation, and possible future roles of the dominant languages are discussed. (33…

A 1992 conference on the status of minorities in higher education is summarized. Issues addressed include speech codes on college campuses, sexual harassment and power, minority scholarships, equal access to higher education under the law, and the need to redress both current inequities and the cumulative effect of discrimination in education.…

Argues that the concept of justice offers many opportunities for creative teaching. Observes that historical and contemporary examples can help students understand the relationship among justice, power, and law. Suggests role playing and the study of legal symbols as means of helping students learn to comprehend legal concepts. (SG)

A study of five decentralized school districts reveals many reasons why recentralization could occur, including lack of accountability provisions, lack of effectiveness, retrenchment, central office reluctance to share power, and union hostility. Unless districts approach decentralization thoughtfully and with commitment, they may abandon the…