The objectives of this study were twofold: first, to develop an improved version of the instruments used to measure Goal IV (Attitude Toward School and School Learning) at the fifth and eleventh grade levels in the public schools of Pennsylvania under a program of "Educational Quality Assessment" mandated by the legislature. Secondly, it was the…

This elective quinmester program for grades 10 through 12 focuses upon the study of urban problems. Students analyze city problems taking into consideration ecology, city planning, model cities, and other factors in an attempt to provide creative solutions. The course is arranged into seven sections. Student activities are to: 1) discuss the…

The current changing preferences of teen-agers, changes which result from social forces, are presented. An attempt is also made to orient adults to a better understanding of the concerns of young people. The point is made that these concerns can, with skillful guidance, lead the young to a lifetime habit of reading and finding out for themselves…

The concept of multicultural education is discussed along with implications for accepting and fostering cultural differences. The concept of cultural pluralism must be broadened to include a commitment to the right to be different if the full benefits of multicultural education are to be realized. A wide range of qualities can be included in…

Four recommendations for research and educational policy to achieve culturally responsive education are made and discussed: (l) because children differ in sensory modality strength, and the learning of all children in bilingual-bicultural education schools may be depressed in overly verbal environments, all such schools should plan more…

The essay discusses the relationship among schools, the federal government, and American society in an attempt to heighten awareness that positive cultural, political, and economic influences are necessary for educational excellence and world leadership. The essay is presented in two parts. Part I proposes that American national educational policy…

This position paper discusses the general absence of law instruction at the elementary level and presents reasons for including it in the elementary curriculum. Two factors which hamper attempts to provide law instruction are limited economic resources and a general lack of understanding that law-related education could develop democratic…

In 1983, the Texas Board of Regents charged Prairie View A and M to become nationally renowned. The lack of high caliber students because of confused messages about courses (university vs. vocational/technical school), sub-standard library, and neglected campus buildings is discussed, and the creation of an honors college within is described. (MLW)

Analyzes teacher and student conceptions of the meaning of history, exploring factors which shape them, and the relationship among teacher conceptions, the curriculum, and student conceptions. Data collection included interviews and observations. Concludes that teachers should explicitly discuss historical purpose, patterns, generalizability, and…

Identifies ten recipients of exemplary program awards and describes each program. Award categories include educational technology, cross-cultural services, preserve/inservice training, special education, family/school/community partnerships, innovative and creative programs, secondary curriculum and instruction, at-risk services, elementary…

Four field tests of Canadian software show that computerized interactive fiction teaches both history and independent reading/study skills. (ARH)

Discusses (1) activities that encourage students to use formal vocabulary; (2) the use of computers to motivate remedial readers to write; and (3) a pilot study in which sustained silent reading and writing was used to improve the literacy of seventh and eighth grade remedial students.

Considers: (1) research by George Hillocks using meta-analysis to examine four modes of composition instruction; (2) role playing in classroom to improve student writing of persuasive letters or opinion essays; (3) process approach to English instruction, which allows for complex nature of individual learning styles; and (4) resource for promising…

An experiment of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission is outlined that allocated up to 5 percent of an institution's annual state funding for awarding on the basis of demonstrated accomplishment in five performance areas. A project funded by the Kellogg Foundation to increase the use of student outcome information in institutional planning is…

"Harvard Education Letter" is published bimonthly at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This issue of "Harvard Education Letter" contains the following articles: (1) Talking 'bout Evolution: High School Science Teachers Share Strategies for Dealing with Controversy in the Classroom (Nancy Walser); (2) Standards-Based…