Declining population in rural Saskatchewan has led to declining resources. The Minister of Education has proposed consolidating schools and creating school councils that, although involved in local decision making, will not govern directly. It is unclear whether boards of education will remain intact or be consolidated with other human services…

Proposes new directions for K-6 social studies, including a curriculum model focused on key concepts, questions to guide student inquiry, and civic action projects. Summarizes informal feedback from elementary students, pre- and inservice teachers, and social studies education professors revealing consensus about the need for a new framework and…

Presents recent research results from magnetic resonance imaging on the neurological characteristics of individuals with dyslexia. Describes how the brain is normally used in reading and how a neurological "glitch" prevents individuals with dyslexia from easily gaining access to parts of the brain responsible for analyzing and…

Examined attitudes of 71 kindergarten and first-grade children regarding the capabilities of disabled children and the potential for friendship, and assessed the effectiveness of children's literature and related activities in influencing attitudes toward the disabled. Found that children's attitudes were generally positive and realistic, and that…

Ernest Boyer traced the cause of many of higher education's problems to the fragmented nature of the college experience. Boyer's concept of the New American College had three priorities, all rooted in American higher education traditions: clarifying the curriculum; connecting to the world beyond the classroom; and creating a campus community.…

Guidelines for assessing the classroom environment for optimal student performance cover physical environment, time/instructional management, behavior management, and teacher effectiveness. Vignettes illustrate classroom problems and suggest management solutions. A checklist identifies instructional methods and conditions that positively affect…

Merrimack College (Massachusetts) has abandoned conservative strategies for investing its $16-million endowment, investing more in international stocks and bonds, real estate projects, and small companies to raise annual returns and increase endowment value. The small, Catholic college is heavily dependent on tuition. The diversification plan…

Argues that within English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classrooms many identities are hidden. Discusses how these identities may affect the classroom and its participants and suggests what ESL administrators and faculty members might do in response to these identities, and their ramifications for the classroom. (five references) (Author/CK)

Describes an observational study on the future of European universities that analyzed how university systems in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States currently structure curricula and certification. Proposes three models for Europe, which were submitted for comment to 30 university leaders in eight countries. Lists the nine…

The principal's role in rural school reform is to create a climate for implementing change, to remove barriers to reform, and to establish the need for school improvement. Committing to the reform effort; linking curriculum development to systemic change; and facilitating collaboration among staff, parents, students, and the community are tactics…

Describes and evaluates the progress of the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, School District's efforts to meet the needs of its students requiring some level of English-as-a-Second-Language instruction. Findings reveal that the program has an excellent track record for achieving its goal of English fluency and knowledge and skills at an appropriate level…

Examines attempts of the foreign language teaching profession to implement reforms, focusing on the "Standards for Foreign Language Learning" (1996). (48 references) (Author/CK)

Discusses an English-as-a-Second-Language high school program that serves as a catalyst for a schoolwide commitment to helping all students, especially Latinos, achieve their full potential. Emphasizes the importance of staff development and a schoolwide team effort to serve language minority students effectively. (20 references) (Author/CK)

A male student analyzes high school teachers' sexist behavior toward female students. Many females learn to accept poor treatment as a fact of life and don't file complaints. Many women lose self-confidence due to discrimination, but a few appear to be strengthened by it. The author suggests that fighting for justice is the only way to change…

Explores the key benefits and costs of implementing Total Quality Management (TQM) in student affairs. Discusses the experiences of early innovators and uses specific criteria to analyze TQM. Outlines effects on financial aid, costs, goal achievement, time and resource commitment, long-term focus, leaders as models, and clarity of mission. (RJM)