Describes preservice teacher education reform efforts at California State University San Marcos via program development and curricular design innovation. Beginning faculty worked on creating a middle level teacher education program informed by critiques of teacher education, visions for restructured middle schooling, and institutional realities.…

Argues that teaching is a form of social activism and that teacher educators should encourage preservice teachers to think deeply and critically about teaching and consider infusing aspects of a multicultural, social reconstructionist approach within their own teaching. (SM)

Discusses Hong Kong's growth as an international center and the role of education in achieving its status. Examines challenges faced after return to Chinese sovereignty from the perspective of higher education, particularly in light of a recent expansion initiative. Issues discussed include maintenance of quality and language standards, efficient…

Describes a unique approach to teacher education that involved teaching students within a multidisciplinary, collaborative, student-centered learning community. Interviews with students and faculty provided information on the transitional issues they experienced in the process of unlearning old conceptions and imagining new ways to think about…

A survey of instructional development practitioners at 51 Canadian universities investigated the perceived potential of 36 specific practices for improving teaching. Greatest potential was seen in faculty incentives (appointment, tenure, promotion). Administrator support of effective teaching was viewed as important, as were support structures…

Summarizes the articles in this special issue on child poverty, policy, and welfare reform. Introduces and discusses the four major themes addressed by these articles: (1) poverty and economic policies affecting children; (2) consequences of poverty for child well-being; (3) qualitative research on family life and child poverty; and (4) programs…

An approach to higher education curriculum that focuses on curriculum's potential to produce desired outcomes is outlined. Signs of need for such an approach, forces for change, and signs of hope in current educational trends are noted, and 11 principles for action are proposed. Principles focus on active, integrated learning and assessment. (MSE)

Curriculum reform in higher education is focusing on enhancement of undergraduate education in a variety of ways, including multicultural education, specialized courses for freshmen and seniors, improved calculus instruction, and development of thinking and writing skills. Strengthened general education requirements are a major target in many…

Inner-city schools are currently as separate and unequal as they have ever been. School reform has failed to address the dual system, and it will remain ineffective as long as an unequal and racially divided system operates. Suggestions are given for turning rhetoric to action. (SLD)

A federal court ruling to desegregate Louisiana state colleges and universities would require substantial changes, including creation of a single governing board and system, designation of Louisiana State University as a selective flagship institution, creation of a community college system, reduction of program duplication, and affirmative…

Presents viewpoints of five persons actively engaged in academic libraries or library schools on new skills that may be desirable for reference librarians in the future. Topics discussed include reference skills; communication skills; management skills; literacy in computer technology; specialization; implications of the information age;…

Four particularly troublesome problems for beginning teachers are imitation, isolation, transfer, and teaching technique. The structure of many teacher education programs contributes to such problems. The article describes the changes in the teacher education program at the Catholic University of America to overcome such problems. (SM)

Explores the impact of electronic networking on social evolution, new notions of literacy, and social equity. Strategies to develop the Internet/NREN as a vehicle for reconnecting segments of society and promoting a network-literate population are needed. The role of libraries and the educational community in accomplishing these objectives must be…

The growth of English-medium education in the Netherlands is examined by comparing the social background, international orientation and experience, and future educational plans of Dutch-speaking students in two tracks in secondary school. Results suggest that demand for internationalization of education comes from parents and pupils, not…

Results of student surveys at an Indian university, conducted in 1964 and 1989, are compared. Survey questions addressed parental educational background and occupation, education among women in the family, language of schooling (Hindi or English), ease with which educational expenses are met, student aspirations, political attitudes, housing, and…