Argues that, under the weight of the culture of materialism, superficiality, and rampant consumerism fueled by sex, drugs, and violence, it is difficult yet critically important for individuals to carve out a space for the pleasures of concentration, and for finding an internal anchor. Describes how a teacher has used silence in support of these…

Issues a call to action to teachers of the English/language arts. Discusses the current scene in the politics of education, the professional debate versus the political debate, collegial responsibility, and how to respond to current political outrages. Argues that the profession must lobby for the right of teachers to practice their profession…

Describes the author's experiences as a Fulbright scholar and English-as-a-Foreign-Language lecturer at the National University of Cote d'Ivoire in Abidjan before and during teacher and student strikes in May 1991. Notes that the author experienced what education is like for many people in the world--education in Abidjan was serious and deadly.…

Offers points for consideration by both school boards and charter-school advocates. Important elements of a successful charter school include vision, hands-on administrators, a commitment to staff development, and founders who also serve as maintainers. (LMI)

The study reported here focused on the uses of the word Esperanto in selected English, French, and German newspapers over an 18-month period. Most uses were metaphorical: generally positive in articles on arts or technology, generally negative in political contexts. (Author/VWL)

Tells about how the author has been learning how to advocate for progressive literacy practices (such as whole language) without demeaning traditional reading and writing instruction and, ultimately, the teachers who enact those practices. (SR)

Critically examines British policy statements, asserting there is a gap between participants and nonparticipants in lifelong learning, and learning is an economic imperative. Reviews methods and findings of studies of adult participation, and concludes with the need to bridge the divide between discourses of lifelong learning as defined broadly or…

Cites the Lysenko affair as a good illustration of the relationship between theory, ethics, and politics. Provides the historical background of the scientist Lysenko and information on the political system of his time. (DDR)

Discusses the research in technology education as reported in 145 articles from the "Journal of Technology Education," 1989-1997. Indicates that conservative opinions are favored and critical voices the exception and suggests that closer attention must be paid to the politics of data, methods, theories, and epistemological visions. (JOW)

Provides background on the concept and history of workers' education and opposition to it. States that workers' education should be targeted also to employers, government, media, and the general public. (SK)

Creating and sustaining school programs that cultivate a wide range of human potential and simultaneously develop the abilities and dispositions required by a robust democratic society is obstructed by a supporting narrative that is weakly sustained in the surrounding environment. Stressing test scores, economic utility, and the "one best…

Undertakes two exercises: (1) argues that the public sector has been transformed from a Keynsian Welfare State to a Schumpeterian Workfare State, and (2) examines educational researchers' conception of and engagement with social policy. Observes a tension in education policy research between commitments to pursue efficiency and social justice.…

Describes a ten-day curricular unit with three goals: motivating students to vote, helping students to understand the importance of political parties, and having students identify a variety of effective means for influencing the political process. Incorporates historical and experiential elements key to motivating students to get involved. (DSK)

Argues that testing and sin both are based on assumptions about values. Proposes and describes the seven deadly sins of testing: procedural mechanization, competitive coerciveness, cultural egocentrism, overeagerness (gluttony), avarice (greed), disconnection from community, and ignorance of self-implication. (SR)

Using 1990 Chinese national census data, this study examines educational levels in ethnic minority communities during three stages in the politics of bilingual education over the last 50 years. (Author/VWL)