This document contains the latest guidelines for developing nationally endorsed training packages for use in Australia's system of vocational education and training (VET). Discussed in section A are the following aspects of the context in which the training packages emerged: development of the National Training Framework and associated new…

This document consists of the four 1998 issues of the "Journal of Educational Relations," published quarterly to promote student achievement through positive school-home-community relationships. Articles in the first issue include: "Policy Changes May Help Organizers of Charter Schools Meet Expectations" (Alex Medler); "Make Friends Before We Need…

A study investigated metadiscoursal signalling devices used in discussions in a business administration course in a British university, focusing on the use and function of the devices in seminars and tutorials. Data were drawn from seminar and discussion classes recorded for distance education purposes. The corpus of about 30,000 words included 18…

Interactive multimedia (IMM) and problem-based learning (PBL) are both promoted in response to the current need to offer authentic and effective professional education. An emphasis on collaborative work in PBL contexts may have discouraged the application of IMM, more commonly designed for individual use. This paper describes preliminary…

This paper describes a computer-supported environment designed to facilitate distance learning through collaborative problem-solving. The goal is to encourage distance learning students to work together, in order to promote both learning of collaboration and learning through collaboration. Collaboration is defined as working together on a common…

This study sought to determine characteristics of schools and districts that enjoy the public's strong confidence and to explore how these characteristics are created and retained. A screening procedure produced useable data from 181 "high-confidence" public schools, 30 private schools, and 45 school districts. As part of a preliminary…

Several features of Beeby's model (1966) of the development of educational systems in developing countries served as the theoretical basis for the Malaysian Teacher Education Project (MTEP). These features include: the qualitative aspects of teaching, a focus on qualitative change, an emphasis on the realistic rate of such change in practice, and…

Since 1988, the Achievement Formula/TRIVET project has enabled researchers at Kent (Ohio) State University to collaborate with a large urban school district to assess, predict, monitor, and improve student achievement. The achievement portion of the project involves collecting and analyzing data on student performance and various contextual…

This book presents a selection of readings that address multiculturalism and school restructuring as a reference for schools working to enrich their school-improvement agendas. The readings treat many areas within curriculum and student achievement. The 13 chapters are as follows: (1) "The Next Millennium: A Multicultural Imperative for…

This study examined the attitudes of fifth and sixth grade students from Chicago (Illinois) toward classroom climate in an effort to better understand factors that would encourage greater self-concept, higher achievement, and student and teacher behaviors. The study population included 185 fifth and sixth grade students attending the Philip…

As part of the investigation into the achievement differentials between white and black students in Michigan, a study was done of the nature of sense of futility (SOF) at the individual student level and the relationship between the SOF correlates and self-concept ability. The sample included 2 groups of fourth and fifth graders in a random sample…

This paper reports the findings from the qualitative component of a study of first-year teachers in urban schools in Connecticut during the school year 1989-90. Five first-year teachers, each from a different school in the Hartford (Connecticut) Public School System, were interviewed at 2-week intervals throughout the school year. The study was…

The Department of Educational Foundations at Western Illinois University developed a model preservice curriculum to respond to the problem of preparing teachers who can influence their environment rather than be victims of it and who can effectively transmit that message to students. Entitled Empowerment through Cognitive and Social Management…

This study explores the problem of school violence, identifies the causes and factors associated with this violence, and discusses strategies to reduce violence in the schools. Federal, New York State, and other state initiatives are presented, focusing on reducing violence in schools. Factors associated with school violence and vandalism are…

This report highlights the safety initiatives developed at 31 public school districts across the country and designed to ensure that students have a safe and secure learning environment. Specific initiatives include violence-prevention programs, collaborative efforts among schools and communities, gang prevention and intervention efforts, peer…