After a short survey of distinctive characteristics of Japanese schooling, the author enumerates the strengths of the Japanese system and its weaknesses. He then draws conclusions about what the United States can emulate in Japanese education and what it should avoid. (JW)

Traditionally marriage in Kwahu (Ghana) was characterized by segregation of conjugal roles and deference behavior on the part of the wife. School pupils, however, are overwhelmingly in favor of more jointness and companionship among partners in marriage. (Author)

A small-town desegregated southern high school with blacks comprising two-thirds of the students was studied. About 200 students enrolled in an American history and government course were sampled. Data showed that racial separation occurred by ability grouping, elective course selection, classroom seating selection, verbal interaction, and…

Patterns of congruency and deflection in occupational and educational attitudes and attainment of Southern, nonmetropolitan youth are reported. Aspirations and expectation levels for future occupational and educational attainment were found to be "unrealistic" in terms of available opportunities and also appeared to be marginal related…

This study examined views of the human relationship with the natural world and understandings about the nature of science (NOS) held by preservice elementary teachers in the context of Taiwan. The participants included 54 third-year students enrolled in the departments of science education and mathematics education at a teacher college. Data were…

The aim in writing this book is to explore the relationships between school leadership and culture. Educational leadership is a socially bounded process. It is subject to the cultural traditions and values of the society in which it is exercised. In this it is no different from other social processes. It thus manifests itself in different ways in…

The "Research & Action Report," published twice a year, is a window on the activities and initiatives at the Wellesley Centers for Women. The report typically features news about the Centers, interviews with researchers, commentary on recent events or social trends affecting women and girls, announcements of new publications, and much more.…

The general reluctance to use public policy to confront social concerns has increased over the past 20 years. This document discusses how America arrived at this view of public social policy. Mentoring and after-school programs are examined to help explain specific opportunities and limits likely to make up the social policy climate for early…

This paper focuses on second language (L2) learning through task-based interaction as well as the compatibility of the theories of task-based learning and Vygotsky's sociocultural theory. Language tasks encourage L2 learning by using language as a tool to accomplish a goal. This study analyzes the interaction of first-semester French students…

This paper is a response to Renuka Vithal's paper entitled "Context, Change and Instability", which addresses the theoretical methodological implications resulting from the act of researching associated with social, cultural, and political approaches. Renuka's opinions on the role of educators as intellectuals involved in teacher training, the…

This report explores how sociocultural factors affect reading engagement, literacy learning, and achievement among a diverse group of learners. The report examines previous theory and research on motivation in the area of reading (reading engagement) from a sociocultural perspective. It describes a study that examined the issue of reading…

This bulletin comprises a symposium on Home and Family Life in a Changing Civilization by William John Cooper, United States Commissioner of Education; Karlee E. Lib, professor of commerce, University of Iowa; Arthur J. Todd, professor of sociology, North-Wester University; and William H. Lancelot, head, vocational education department, Iowa State…

Describes the rapid changes occurring in the age and educational distribution of most societies and the resulting mismatching of human resources to the existing needs within the societal structure. Discusses ways society might alter the educational distribution to better conform to societal needs. (Author/DN)

Results of this study suggest that, while Mexican American students were found to come from homes where education was stressed, the students' depressed achievement was found to be related to values and experiences associated with the culture of poverty. (Author/KM)

Presents some tentative cross-cultural and cross-national evidence relating one environmental variable (i.e., climate) to both behavioral and psychocultural processes. (DM)