This article is a response to Carolina Castano's article "Extending the purposes of science education." Drawing on personal memories of life in Bogota, I raise questions about the nature of violence in Colombia broadly, and ask how the intervention Castano proposes changes the ecology of violence in that country. It also ponders the…

The provision, in most industrialized democracies, of public funding for schools that differ from the state system in religion or pedagogy has the effect of encouraging philosophical diversity and school-level decision making alongside a substantial degree of curriculum alignment and with various forms of government protection for the interests of…

This paper focuses on curriculum and didactics, working from the premise that the European discourse of didactics is close to the emergent Anglo-American discourse of pedagogics. The paper begins with an argument about the convergence of didactic and pedagogical theory. It illustrates the endurance of European didactic thought, using examples from…

Analyzes the ideas used by (n=54) 13-year-old pupils to explain the properties of substances and their changes. Reports that a significant number of pupils use explanations that have been categorized as "substantialization of properties." Justifies this categorization on the basis of a study of the history of science. Contains 34…

Compares the effectiveness and practicality of discrete academic disciplines to interdisciplinary curriculum approaches for elementary secondary education. Interdisciplinary curricula from France, Spain, and Italy are used to illustrate various ways of combining individual subjects. The author considers the interdisciplinary curriculum model…

As an American alone in Barcelona, Spain, the author came to understand the everyday difficulties faced by her English-as-a-Second-Language students back in California. Being relatively affluent and well-educated is no substitute for being proficient in a foreign language, but practice helps. (MLH)

Trends in vocational education and training (VET) reform in Italy, Spain, and Portugal are examined in the context of European Community developments. The paper describes common problems (such as a low average qualification level), each country's current VET system, and specific strategies for structural change and program development. (DB)

Examines the accepted economic theories about the role of academic education in economic development. The author challenges the idea that expanding education increases consumption in developing countries, like Spain, which have scarce financial resources, a need for technically trained workers, and no tradition of long-term academic education. (AM)

This paper highlights the historical, social, and legal aspects of Spain's movement to integrate special education students. Differences in constitutional and legislative foundations as well as in practical mainstreaming efforts and professional roles between the U.S. and Spain are noted. Educators are warned to not uncritically replicate other…

Discusses the incorporation of new technologies into schools in Spain; considers the exposure students have to mass media; suggests using the cultural environment created by mass communications; and proposes Communic*Active Education which would enable pupils to learn from communications media outside school as well as in the classroom. (Contains…

Examines the ambiguity over the role of headteachers in Spain by evaluating recent legislation, the impact of Franco's legacy on education, and the current preoccupation with democratic government at all levels. The paper highlights important attitude changes toward the role of the headteacher now occurring (mainly at local levels). (Author/SM)

Describes the stimulation of the literary market in Spain and the promotion of a national children's literature.(EL)

The political changes which have occurred in Spain, e.g., the introduction of a democratic system of government, have made it possible for Catalonia to re-establish the official use of its language--Catalan--and to use this language in education. This process of change and educational practices today are discussed. (RM)

Describes fifteenth-century Spain's tendencies that proved central to the Columbian enterprise: experience as a conquering and colonizing kingdom, interest in Atlantic expansion, and missionary inclination. Argues that Columbus's arrival in Spain came at the perfect time in Spanish history. Stresses Spain's long history of religious war, conquest,…

Provides historical information on the incorporation of physics as a subject into secondary schools in Spain. Cites religious and political tensions as early roadblocks to curriculum development. (DDR)