Reviews the research on ageing, focusing on issues of multi-disciplinarity versus inter-disciplinarity; research orientations to "subject" populations; ethical imperatives in language research; interactivity; and linguistic versus ideological perspectives. Makes a case for considering research on language and ageing as falling within an…

Uses the example of Reading Recovery to examine how remedial reading programs can function to preserve the status quo by protecting the structures of schooling, which so effectively serve the needs of some students better than others and thus so effectively restrict access to social goods to members of dominant groups. (SR)

Argues that it is worthwhile for motivational theorists to consider the implications of social perspective theories and to explore the motivational implications of nuances within these theories. Explores the motivational implications of sociocultural assumptions about knowing and learning, as they have been defined by situative cognitive…

Provides an overview of Colombia and its linguistic makeup, briefly tracing the presence of the English language from the eighteenth century to date. Characterizes the users and uses of English documenting how the personal, instrumental, and creative and innovative functions are manifested in this setting. Concludes by highlighting the need for…

Demographic and perception data were collected from 63 teachers (grades 1-5) to determine the effect of sociocultural variables on teachers' perceptions of classroom behavior, management, and referral tendencies. Teachers' perceptions of a learning disability, educational level, grade level, instructional practices, and prereferral intervention…

Reviews the "Great Migration" of 3.5 million African Americans from the rural South to the industrial cities of the North and West between 1900 and 1950. Discusses the role of both economic and social opportunities. (FMW)

Discusses the way in which natural community contexts influence early language socialization and behavior. Compares approaches to language usage and literacy in Black middle- and lower-class families in a particular Southern community. (RJC)

Explores the cultural legacy of the United States. Characterizes the society as one which promotes cohesiveness and political unity, yet emphasizes individual initiative. Provides a number of salient historical examples in making this point. (KO)

Investigated age, race, and educational patterns of marriage choice in North Carolina and Virginia during 1969-71 and 1979-81. Results support exchange theories of marriage behavior; females emphasized male economic characteristics; males emphasized female noneconomic characteristics. Major changes over 10 years were decline in level of marriage…

Subcultural differences existing among various Chinese immigrant groups are described, through examination of such cultural characteristics as languages, religions, philosophy, and family life. Two case studies reveal the difficulties inherent in conducting educational evaluations of Chinese children with special needs. (JDD)

Identifies socioeconomic trends affecting education and training, arguing that community colleges should be more involved in developing human resources. Discusses five phases in establishing customized training programs for industry: needs assessment, coalition building, model building/development, implementation, and evaluation. (DMM)

The purpose of this study was to determine the socio-cultural factors which mitigate against the learning and teaching of science in the secondary school. It was found that authoritarianism, goal structure, the African world-view, societal expectation, and sacredness of science have significant effects on the learning of science. (CW)

Reports on an on-going study of traditional education in Sierra Leone using examples of traditional crafts. Notes that traditional education is not cut off from life; involves the whole family; is practical and situational, interdisciplinary and multi-methodological; and is geared to the student's interests, talents, and learning patterns. (DHP)

Illustrated is the importance of several sociological concepts in understanding families of young children with disabilities. These concepts include the social system, cultural and subcultural values, status and role, definition of the situation and role-taking ability, presentation of self, and social process. (Author/JDD)

A coordinated effort by all segments of society, led by the schools, can decrease the number of dropouts, increasing the chances that more young people will lead productive lives. Included is a list of sources of dropout prevention activities. (TE)