Adverse consequences of contemporary modes of work, child rearing, and schooling for human and child development and the quality of life; the potential of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to relieve some of these consequences; and ways educators can improve child development are reviewed. (SLD)

In the coming century school psychologists must concentrate on proactive strategies for developing a prosocial orientation in children. A "perestroika" (restructuring of priorities) must enable school psychologists to promote an orientation focusing on prosocial behavior and related cognitive and affective aspects. (SLD)

An outsider to the field of deaf education questions the seeming ambiguousness in terminology, lack of scientific research, continuing controversies, and lack of definitive answers. Questions concern such issues as the difference between "Deaf" and "deaf" and the feasibility of the American Sign Language/English-as-a-Second-Language proposal.…

This paper reviews issues related to transition services to meet the postsecondary needs of individuals with disabilities. It focuses on follow-up and outcome studies, identification and analysis of best practices in transition, policy research, and analyses of applications for federally funded model demonstration projects. (JDD)

Assesses population education activities in 10 Pacific Island countries in terms of the awareness of and commitment to such programs; the development of curricula and instructional materials for formal education and nonformal education; training activities for policymakers, curriculum committees, teachers, and others; evaluative research; and new…

An overview of issues in the education of children with mental retardation in Arab countries is presented, focusing on educational history, prevalence of mental retardation, residential and special day schools, teacher training, student evaluation, integrated education, and early childhood special education. (Author/JDD)

Questionnaire responses from 6 samples totaling about 2,000 third- and fourth-grade teachers were analyzed regarding the extent to which gifted and talented students receive differentiated education in regular classrooms. The study found that teachers made only minor modifications in the regular curriculum, with provision of thinking and…

A qualitative research approach with 20 secondary vocational teachers explored issues related to grading students with special needs, including (1) successful grading practices and problems/concerns of teachers; (2) teachers' perceptions of the messages that grades communicate; (3) preservice and inservice teacher preparation for grading; and (4)…

The paper reviews the historical and cultural attitudes of Ethiopians toward blind children, the education of blind children, the special situation of orphaned blind children, limitations of existing educational models, and development of a new model that relies on elements of community-based rehabilitation and the employment of blind high school…

Using responses of 123 elementary school teachers, a battery of performance-assessment tasks designed to generate responses to reading tests was evaluated from task development and scoring perspectives. More than one dozen types of errors were identified. Practical outcomes of the study and improvement of task development and scoring are…

Pedagogical alternatives for preparing student to make the transition from school to work are examined and synthesized into six key components of successful transition programs. Four desired outcomes of program participation include connecting theory and practice, developing maturity, gaining personal awareness, and attaining professional insight.…

It is argued that the current trend toward viewing the teacher as a facilitator of learning does a disservice to the tradition of teaching and puts the education of children at risk. Reasons why teaching should be emphasized over facilitating learning are presented. (SLD)

A teacher who became computer literate by playing with one over the summer, describes how even just one computer in the classroom can help differentiate curriculum, be used for individualized instruction, augment resource materials, access the World Wide Web for the latest discoveries, assist visual learners, and create new student and teacher…

Describes inclusive practices in four small, rural Wisconsin schools. These models focus on scheduling for cross-categorical programming, including students with challenging behaviors, coteaching, and practicing inclusion in high school. Includes philosophy of inclusion and program features for each model. Contains 24 references. (SAS)

Describes the teaching experiences and philosophy of 1995 National Teacher of the Year Elaine Griffin. With her husband Ned, Griffin began her teaching career in the roadless village of Akhiok (Alaska) and now teaches in a three-room school in Chiniak, Kodiak Island. Classroom activities such as Socratic discussion are described that nurture…