Examines the opinions of schoolchildren in former Soviet Union and the need for educators to promote students' independent thinking. Reports that 53 percent of students reported an unwillingness to question the collective will. Argues that students will learn critical thinking through involvement in learning, the expression of personal opinion,…

Examines the increased emphasis in former Soviet vocational secondary schools on general education. Calls for a reexamination of the content of secondary education. Argues that schools should promote student socialization and professionalization of the content of general education. Refutes suggestions that differentiated instruction harms…

Suggests that Soviet school administration theory should be studied in combination with social administration. Presents as a goal of the educational system a model secondary school graduate who is disciplined, organized, and capable of both self-restraint and mobilization of will. Notes that such a personality approach requires perfecting existing…

Addresses the problems of administration in the large former Soviet school complexes. Explains how a school of 1,600 students in the city of Komsomol'sk (Poltava Region) was reorganized into 3 independent collectives. Suggests that the larger schools may be unworkable without such reforms and that the existing staff roster is outmoded. (SG)

Discusses the predominance of adolescents in many Soviet night schools. Describes the characteristics of difficult adolescents and their deviant behavior. Identifies the need for individual work with adolescent students that takes account of their personal characteristics. Suggests a need for better teacher training in dealing with difficult…

Explores the role of the regional organizational-pedagogical system in the former Soviet Union. Suggests that the organization of social interaction can be addressed on the district level. Discusses a project in the Dnestrovskii district in which a social pedagogical complex has been organized to strengthen schools' material base, develop…

Recommends that Soviet schools concentrate on age-related materials for students, with differentiation and in-depth study of subjects in the upper grades. Recommends educational emphasis on the restoration of harmonious relations between people and with nature. Calls upon the educational system to encourage teachers to stand up for their own…

Discusses the need to guide general education students in the former Soviet Union into blue collar occupations. Observes that, despite technological changes, manual laborers will continue to comprise a majority of the work force. Argues that manual laborers need to complete their schooling. Underscores the value of vocational training and guidance…

Compares advantages and disadvantages of centralized and decentralized control in Soviet public schools. Recognizes that centralization concentrates the forces, funds, and available resources necessary for maximum achievement. Suggests that decentralization of administration can be optimized by delegating rights, duties, and responsibilities to…

Discusses a study of the attitudes of children of the former Soviet Union between the ages of 10 and 15. Reports results showing children's uncertainty about the future of Communism and dislike for Stalin but support for state ownership of property. Presents student views on life plans, values, and personal interests. (SG)

Discusses the nature of the school council in the Soviet Union during Perestroika. Suggests that the councils have yet to find their place in the social and political changes of democratization. Attributes the low effectiveness of the school councils to student and parent passivity. (DK)

The Soviet Union has embarked upon a five-year plan to improve education at all levels. Some of the major aspects of the reform movement include: (1) improving the status of teachers by providing salary increases from 25 to 35 percent and trying to entice more men to enter teaching; (2) trying to increase the birthrate by emphasizing preschool…

Discusses former Soviet schools' inadequacy in promoting students' political involvement. Reports that students can be grouped according to their social attitudes as (1) conformists; (2) negativists or nihilists; and (3) those with critical, creative attitudes toward majority opinion. Argues that schools can promote independent thinking by…

Examines needed changes in vocational education in former Soviet Union as the nation shifts to a market economy. Suggests that there should be more emphasis on individual student needs. Argues that vocational education must include training in information sciences, computers, foreign languages, social psychology, and urban ecology. Recommends…

Argues that Soviet secondary school students' readiness to continue learning is important to pedagogy and the state. Reports research indicating that most tenth grade graduates planned to continue schooling. Concludes that secondary school guidance inadequately promotes some forms of continuing education. Reveals student attitudes about various…