This is Volume 1 of the Report of the Commissioner of Education for the Year 1897-98, containing Part I. The volume begins with the Commissioner's Introduction and Statistics of State Common School Systems. Part I covers the topics: (1) History of the German School System; (2) Summer Schools in England, Scotland, France, and Switzerland; (3)…

Discusses strategies aimed at moving undergraduates beyond the traditional stereotypical and demonized portrait of the Middle East. Suggests focusing on boundaries (shifting between national, cultural, religious, and economic), on bases of information (different students bring different knowledge levels), and using a wide variety of biographies…

Reports research on a pilot project in Western Australia in which single-sex science and mathematics classes were begun in 10 coeducational secondary schools. The program involved professional development for participating teachers and systematic monitoring. Analyzes teachers' reactions to the program and major issues concerning student outcomes,…

Analyzes the registrar's role and responsibilities at four Taiwan universities: National Taiwan University, National Taiwan Normal University, National Taiwan Institute of Technology, and Tamkang University. Compares their roles to American registrars' roles in organizational structure, catalog and other publications, classroom scheduling, student…

Describes a long-term project where middle school students were taught to visually represent key text ideas through idea-mapping techniques. Instruction was inserted in the content area curriculum along with regular textbooks and supplementary material. Positive effects were found in recall, comprehension, and learning. (MJP)

Describes the efforts to incorporate and represent Hindu and Muslim theology in Australia's secondary schools' Religious Studies curriculum. These efforts included literature reviews as well as historical and ethnographic research. Argues that the current incorporation represents merely a first step and advocates further expansion and research.…

Discusses the formation and jurisdiction of the new constitutional court of the federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The international Muslim, Serb, and Croat court is attempting to establish the rule of law in the war-ravaged country. The Court received legal training from the American Bar Association. (MJP)

Presents a lesson plan that teaches students skills in developing oral arguments, understanding legal concepts involved in the practice of international law, and appreciating opposing points of view. Students prepare mini-memorials (similar to a legal brief) concerning a South Pacific case involving nuclear testing and territorial rights. (MJP)

Presents a lesson plan requiring students to investigate problems related to the use of land mines and their impact on civilian populations. Activities include student pairs navigating a simulated mine field on graph paper and mock delegates creating proposals on this issue. Student handouts contain background information. (MJP)

Argues that the Japanese model of early years education enables children to make comparatively fast progress once they begin elementary schooling. Asserts that the understanding of group behavior and needs of other children contributes to children's sharing of responsibility and positive learning attitudes. Maintains that preschool routines…

Argues that democratisation, localization, and national identity are indivisible in Taiwan. Explains that social pressure groups, teachers, and parents are empowered in policy making processes, while the power of school officials to respond to these groups is limited. Discusses the role of school curriculum in promoting ethnic cultures and…

Views the experiences of a limited-English-speaking Liberian child of limited educational background in relation to her teacher's beliefs about language, acculturation, natural cognitive processes, and cooperative learning. Argues that in the case of linguistic minority children in mainstream classrooms, powerful ideas viewed from a sociocultural…

Reports on a Canadian survey concerning differences and similarities in views and expectations among higher education's stakeholders (government, academia, industry) with a central interest is internationalization of education. Emerging issues identified included preparation of knowledgeable and interculturally competent graduates; recruiting and…

Analyzes Kenyan educational research conducted over the past 25 years. Examines choice of research topics, research methodologies, training of researchers, funding, and research utilization. Advocates more action and participatory research, greater regional cooperation and coordination, publishing findings in accessible sources, and greater…

Discusses how self concept and its adaptations to academic success and failure are related to each other and to "cultural therapy." Analyzes research with a German agricultural community undergoing industrialization, and Menominee Indians adapting to majority culture using the Instrumental Activities Inventory (IAI). Extends the analysis…