Explores why community services learning (CSL) is the right thing to do for professional renewal, enrichment, and meaning. Examples are given from Gig Harbor High School (Washington). The role of CSL in changing school cultures is also examined. Service learning is a path to better ways to educate. (SLD)

The political events characterizing the start of a teaching career were investigated for three teachers who told the stories of their early years on the job. Data analysis reveals that their thoughts and actions are influenced and sustained in three streams of consciousness (biography, role demands, and school culture). (SLD)

Studies differences in the involvement in talk in classroom situations and the nature of that talk for boys and girls in mathematics/technology and language group work. Results with 15 classes of children aged 4 through 11 years give a picture of the effects of the group's gender balance. (SLD)

Discusses questions of school climate and parental involvement that must be considered if general education is to assume the responsibility of educating African-American students with special needs. Practical suggestions are given for professionals deciding the proper place to educate African Americans with special needs. (SLD)

Presents overviews of librarian and library support staff education from 1887 to the present. Discusses current forces in education for librarians; the balance between professional and university environments; differences between education for librarians and library technicians; persistent themes; the role of information science in library…

Creating an equitable school environment is easier in theory than in practice. This article provides background information to help educators understand the importance of gender issues and offers concrete teaching strategies (in the areas of assessment, curriculum, school climate, and instructional supervision) to minimize gender bias. (17…

Examines definitions of inclusion, mainstreaming, and integration, focusing on developments within the United States. Reviews legislation leading to inclusion, the debate about use of inclusion in early-childhood special education, and the rationale and research supporting inclusion. Describes factors necessary for successful inclusion, including…

Describes a University of Pretoria (South Africa) computer-mediated course in distance education, designed to determine how the World Wide Web could be used as a virtual classroom with an electronic-mail listserv as a parallel discussion forum. A virtual classroom was created with virtual posters, virtual desks, and virtual portfolios. Student…

Examined teacher/student interactions and relationship quality among poor, urban, African-American third through fifth graders expressing differential school satisfaction. Found that perceptions of a caring, supportive relationship with a teacher and a positive classroom environment were related to school satisfaction as early as third grade.…

A study of 56 inner-city Canadian teachers found they believed that student behavior and attitude combined with familial situations were strongly related to students becoming at risk for school failure. School violence and gangs, large class sizes, and limited school resources and programs were rated as moderately contributing to student risk. (CR)

Presents the results of a major study that attempts to define the occupational characteristics of the teaching profession in post-Soviet Russia. Compiles and summarizes a wide array of information concerning educational background, salaries, certification, professional attitudes, prestige, and other factors among Russian teachers. Includes…

Presents the results of a major study that attempts to document the effect that the sociopolitical changes in Russia have had on the material comfort, personal attitudes, and social position of teachers in that country. Includes comparisons of competing educational models as well as statistical analysis of teachers' attitudes. (MJP)

In an urban elementary school, teachers trained in the Comer school development approach attempted to reform school discipline practices and plan conflict resolution efforts for students. Time constraints and teachers' aversion to coping with conflicting views inhibited the open democratic discussion needed as a foundation of change and limited…

An ethnographic study in two California school districts examines how court cases, federal and state legislation, local and state school board decisions, election results, and national reports interacted to constrain students' confidence to function at a particular level in English and the learning opportunities that a bilingual teacher could…

Interviews with 77 California teachers who either continued teaching bilingual education, switched to English immersion, or continued teaching English immersion sought their perspectives on impacts of Proposition 227 to the teaching profession, instructional practices, students, school culture, and teacher relationships. Implementation of…