Guidelines are presented for special educators designing a parent training program. The article includes a sample training format, a comparison of seven commercial parent training programs, and the identification of "best practices" in parent training (e.g., "group parents based on common need" and "establish clear goals"). (DB)

Describes personal experiences of two American teachers who were evacuated from Beijing Foreign Studies University three days after the massacre of students and workers in Tiananmen Square. The Chinese system of education is described, library education is briefly discussed, and student attitudes and interests are examined. (LRW)

This study assessed the judgments of 131 preschool special education teachers on the acceptability, feasibility, and current use of child-specific, peer-mediated, and environmental arrangement intervention strategies for promoting social interaction skills of young children with disabilities. Teachers found all three types of interventions…

Explores the depth of the impact which networked, digital technologies are having on the global information environment and calls for the development of new curricula appropriate to that new world. Raises questions regarding the kinds of knowledge that are required by students entering the 21st century to help educators avoid using new digital…

Reviews some basic tenets for educational practice and considers current trends and possible future directions for higher education. Examines the Western Governor's University, a consortium of private and state-supported institutions, along with issues raised by the emergence of business-oriented university systems. Considers design and…

Views academic libraries through the lens of the assessment and accountability movements. Illustrates how a research library at the University of Rochester (Rochester, New York) has created an assessment environment in an effort to focus on educational impact. Discusses principles of good practice, and formal and informal evaluation. (AEF)

While there may be positive benefits to computerized reading programs and awards, there may be greater negative consequences to their use. Studies suggest that use of the widely known Accelerated Reader Program alone cannot create better lifelong learners. Educators need to examine practices that have worked well in the past and work hard to…

Analyzes the role/function of didactics in preservice teacher education as presented in official texts from the ministries of education of Quebec and France. Demonstrates the vulnerable and limited position of didactics in teacher-education. Compares features of the two teacher education systems; notes differences relating to training in…

Examines the role of practical activities in secondary science from an international perspective and contrasts this to a developing country's perspective. Discusses research studies on training teachers to include physics practical work in Indonesia and the benefits and constraints of implementing practical work in physics classrooms. Contains 37…

Presents an accessible overview of modernism, postmodernism, and post-structuralism. Describes their characteristics, identifies how conceptions of literacy have changed as an outcome of post-structural and postmodern influences, and describes what literacy instruction looks like within each movement. (SR)

Grade retention is ineffective. It is often imposed for nonacademic reasons, fails to improve academic achievement, and exacerbates the dropout problem. Social promotion is equally ineffective at providing appropriate instruction for low-performing students. Feasible alternatives include group problem solving, personalized instruction, and…

Questions the interpretation that the most urgent task in the context of the introduction of the Code of Practice on Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs in the United Kingdom is assessment that facilitates identification of bilingual learners with special educational needs, as distinct from their linguistic needs. (SLD)

Provides an overview of play in occupational therapy. Examines how occupational therapists' view of play has evolved and offers a model of play as occupation to illustrate how children's ability to play is influenced by developmental disabilities. Also outlines occupational-therapy assessment and treatment practices that use play and identifies…

Discusses the evolution of staff development and the new Supporting Open Learners' (SOL) materials at the United Kingdom Open University. Outlines objectives of the SOL program. Discusses issues arising from use of SOL materials, including instructional attitudes; modelling good practice; developing the reflective practitioner; perceived value;…

Explores current policies and practices with regard to defining, identifying, and educating gifted children with learning disabilities. Suggests that with support, understanding, and appropriate educational intervention, gifted students with learning disabilities can overcome their academic difficulties. (AEF)