This review concerns the influences of the community on learning. These influences are numerous and complex, and include family, culture, and local customs. This review analyzes representative cross-sections of the literature within three domains: community constructs, the program literature, and the research literature. (BW)

This report documents and summarizes research findings on the influence of religion on the lives of U.S. adolescents. It examines recent academic research on religious influences during adolescence and reports findings from quality studies, published mostly in academic journal articles or book chapters. The report focuses on: "Levels of…

This book is based on a study of a 4-year reform effort in the Newark (New Jersey) public schools. The discussion focuses on an elementary school as it attempted reform in an effort that was ultimately unsuccessful. Part I opens the discussion of the effects of social class and race on educational reform. To see why inner city schools have not…

This book provides an historical overview of American student activism from 1900 to the present with emphasis on the period from 1900 to 1960. An introduction to this edition reviews student activism since 1970 concluding that, despite brief sparks of activism such as the anti-apartheid struggle, there are currently no national or regional…

This brief updates an overview of welfare benefits and services in Texas in 1997, when House Bill 1863 and the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 first went into effect. Since 1997, Texas and 12 other states from the Assessing the New Federalism study have implemented many changes in social safety net…

This brief examines changes in Florida's welfare-to-work, child care, and child welfare systems since 1997, presenting information from visits conducted in 1999 and 2000. It profiles Florida's population, economy, and politics, reviewing its income support and social services safety net. Three sections detail current policies and recent changes in…

This brief summarizes information collected during visits to Massachusetts in 1999 and 2000 to document changes and progress since 1997, updating a 1997 report on the state's benefits and services and the economic and political context shaping Massachusetts' agenda for serving low-income families. It profiles Massachusetts' economy and population,…

This brief examines changes in Washington's welfare-to-work, child care, and child welfare systems since 1997, presenting information from visits to Washington in 1999 and 2000. It profiles Washington's demographic, economic, and political conditions, reviewing its income support and social services systems and highlighting recent changes,…

This paper advocates combining two commonly employed perspectives--the cultural and the political--to overcome the limitations of using either perspective alone to explain and evaluate interactions within educational-administration settings. The mix of concepts adopted within cultural or political perspectives varies, which leads to differing…

The state of educational planning for engineering in Iran, a critical element in industralization, is investigated. It is concluded that no adequate survey of markets and industries was made, and implementation of any planning was incomplete. Recommendations are made for solving current problems. (MSE)

Discusses the basic issue between biology and the religious right, focusing on the strategies creationists use. Proposes formation of a symposium on the relationship between science, religious beliefs, and politics, outlining purposes of such a symposium and questions which might be addressed. (JN)

Professional groups and advisory commissions in international studies are part of a growing trend toward political awareness and activism in the scholarly and pedagogical professions. With a rejuvenated profession and an expanded public, it is up to these groups to use their professionalism and dedication to serve foreign languages. (Author/MSE)

Evidence from 10 cities indicates that large city school systems' difficulty in closing schools stems from administrators' value conflicts between responsiveness to the community and efficiency, and from competing role interests between board members and administrators. (MJL)

Examines three analytical perspectives in the sociological study of ethnic minorities that have influenced Mexican-American studies: (1) international colonialism; (2) class; and (3) a Marxian focus on the international world system. Points to a transition in ethnic studies away from the assumption of similarity to recognition of variation in…

Lack of public confidence has created a crisis in American education. To regain public support for the schools, educators can (1) mobilize educational agencies into an action force to support public education; (2) focus school goals on teaching content; (3) improve teacher quality; and (4) increase the supply of science and mathematics teachers.…