As Western modernity has achieved global proportions, the race for development in non-Western countries feeds back and reinforces the compulsive attempt to "keep up," in a universal process of mimicry. The theories, models, and concepts derived from Western experiences are justifiably universalized. As part of the closely interconnected…

The general research goal for this study was to determine whether the decision to launch guided self-study as a global concept for university teaching at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Flanders, Belgium) has had any impact on the evaluation of educational quality at the level of individual programs. The main hypothesis was that departments…

The purpose of this document is to analyze some of the major developments and research findings of the European Observatory of Innovations in Education and Training (1994-1998). The Observatory was a consortium of 13 member countries of the European Union serving as a European network of researchers and educators in the field of comparative…

This report outlines the development and implementation of a service-learning program at the Community College of Vermont (CCV). The author describes some of CCV's unique characteristics, all of which heightened the challenge of implementing a service-learning program: (1) CCV has no campus-there are 12 sites of the college scattered throughout…

This study examined approaches to action research held by science, education, and mathematics faculty and how they convert ideas to action research proposals and plan to gather and analyze their research data. The study also described some of the research outcomes of successful action research projects. Rubrics were used on a diverse set of…

This report showcases four programs nationally recognized as leaders in family literacy--each of these programs has participated in a validation process sponsored by the National Diffusion Network (NDN), an agency of the United States Department of Education that disseminates information and training about exemplary educational programs and…

This book explores everyday social practices and how they influence who people are, their life quality, opportunities and possibilities open and denied, focusing on language and literacy components of social practices. Chapter 1 outlines an approach to thinking about language and culture and how they are related, developed from Gee's (1996)…

Overcoming decades of labor, financial and performance troubles, the Chicago school system has enjoyed improving test scores 3 consecutive years, rising attendance, and labor peace under a new contract balancing the budget. Despite some criticism, the Chicago system enjoys reform successes in six areas: (1) improved governance; (2) greater…

This report offers the top 10 challenges identified by public schools and the ways that the Texas School Performance Review (TSPR) suggests that these issues be addressed. The TSPR ensures that scarce education resources are spent in the classroom. For a TSPR review, the TSPR team is invited in for months of detailed study, during which it asks…

Summarizes some of the ideas presented and discussed at the sixty-second annual convention of the National Council of Teachers of English held in November 1972. (TO)

Suggests several innovations in classroom physical environment that can facilitate students' learning to read and encourage their reading. (TO)

Introduction of number sets to elementary school children should be approached with caution, used to clarify rather than confuse a situation. (WM)

The University of North Carolina students staged an hour-long program concerning the depression and the new deal as seen from the perspective of North Carolinians. It was an experience of the 30s, using slides, music, and actors to create a 3-dimensional historical environment. (Author/PG)

Article addresses the question of whether comparative and international education in its research and teaching roles is effectively illuminating the universals and differentials in schooling as it develops and changes all over the world. (Author/RK)