Discusses both the background and the current state of treatment of children with disabilities in Russia. Describes the theoretical basis of the modern Russian approach to disability, the current population's needs, and the existing system for referral and rehabilitation. Identifies merging trends and new perspectives on the Russian treatment of…

Discusses French research on the didactics of physical activities/sports. The originality of this research lies in its using a range of approaches, from descriptive and comprehensive to quasiexperimental, and in being firmly anchored in the particularity of the activities investigated. Its aim is to build knowledge that is useful didactically and…

Discusses how 34 Finnish teachers participating in a teacher-development program view efforts to renew classroom practices--especially alterations of teacher/student power relations. Despite intensive national and institution-level initiatives, teachers tend to retain traditional classroom practices, even when slowly shifting beliefs to a…

A synthesis of ethnographic studies of multicultural education in North American and Australian multiethnic classrooms is presented. Nine assertions about culturally relevant instruction and two outcomes useful for teachers working in cross-cultural and multiethnic classrooms are provided. (MMU)

Discusses some of the issues that face science educators working in developing nations. Explains that educators in the developing world should recognize existing First-World hegemony and develop their own systems, programs, and practices that are authentic and contextually relevant rather than follow the dominant order in an uncritical way. (WRM)

Studied the prevalence and learning consequences of ability grouping in French lower secondary schools (colleges). Findings for about 30,000 students show that ability grouping is relatively widespread in France, and that the average level of the class is positively associated with student learning. For low achievers, a homogeneous class is the…

Compares the Japanese educational system with that in England. Discusses the structure of school levels and examinations, the curriculum, and informal educational practices and cultural expectations. Notes the place of science study in the Japanese system. (Author/WRM)

Discusses the Advanced Placement (AP) Physics program in the U.S. in terms of which of its aspects may be applied to education in the United Kingdom. Suggests that a British AP scheme giving access to introductory-level college physics for the brightest students may be needed in light of proposed A-level curriculum changes in the U.K. (Author/WRM)

Challenges Montessori educators to assess how effectively a Montessori education achieves its spiritual goals in the formation of character. Maintains that the prepared environment may not be enough, given the assault of commercialism on the growing minds of children, especially in the form of advertising. (Author)

A 1996-97 survey of 40 home schooling families in rural Nebraska examined family characteristics, parents' social and political attitudes, the rationale for home schooling, curriculum and supplementary materials, children's opportunities for social experiences, rural characteristics, parents' educational attitudes, and support from extended…

Aims to demonstrate effects of teaching practice on teachers' perspectives about teaching. Argues that there is often a mismatch between teachers' explicit beliefs about teaching and practices in which they engage. Suggests that teachers should develop an appreciation of how tensions and stresses of practice inform their beliefs about teaching.…

Data from the 1994-95 Teacher Follow-up Survey, summarized in "What Happens in Classrooms," paint a picture of teachers' instructional practices in the early days of standards-based reform. Teachers have incorporated some recommended practices, but have not decreased their conventional practices. (SLD)

Calls attention to the difficulties of broaching issues of "race" and "sex" in the classroom context of nationwide calls for multiculturalism. Discusses the current politics surrounding the importance of student course evaluations, and presents strategies for making evaluations more useful in the context of courses that include controversial…

Discusses issues in selecting computer programs and interactive multimedia for culturally diverse students, including the necessity of including diverse cultural referents and acknowledging the cognitive style of students who will be using the programs. (SLD)

Presents the autonomous-learner model developed by George Betts and the Renzulli model as possible ways to facilitate creative thinking and personal development in Japanese students, whose culture typically emphasizes memorization. Concludes that developing the mindset to critically question learning will increase students' learning abilities and…