Asserts that while enrollment in academic courses has increased since "A Nation at Risk" report, academic achievement as measured by national and international mathematics and science exams has remained unchanged. Suggests that divergence between increased enrollment and test scores is due to watered-down curriculum and course materials.…

New evidence on brain functions demonstrates the necessity of connections between knowing and doing, school and life, knowledge and application, and content and context. Contextual teaching and learning principles can better harness the power of the thinking brain. (SK)

Reviews some of the qualities that theater studies and production experience contribute to a student's education. Suggests that theater students learn to enjoy the learning process, engage in active (not passive) learning, learn creative expression and problem solving, and learn self-discipline and leadership skills. (SR)

Maintains that preschool programs should emphasize the child's development and learning potentials by focusing on the child's intrinsic interests and not on academically oriented, subject-centered learning and teaching. (BB)

In an effort to improve the ability of vocational education to reinforce academic skills, we must not take the heart out of vocational programs by removing work-related components. The agenda for educational reform must be broadened to include vocational education. (JOW)

Owen Valley High School in Spencer, Indiana, uses a holistic approach to integrating its academic and vocational curricula. Publication of a book of student-written stories on local history was a collaboration of classes in creative writing, civics, child development, English, art, computer applications, print communications, manufacturing,…

Describes workshops designed to help recruit and involve faculty members from vocational and academic departments in a technical college and provide a strong foundation for the integration of the two areas. Addresses cooperative efforts and modifications necessary by both departments. (JOW)

Explains the Association of American Colleges and Universities' initiative to define the aims of twenty-first century undergraduate education, called "Greater Expectations: The Commitment to Quality as a Nation Goes to College." Then introduces articles that describe successful change and innovation at three colleges. (EV)

Looks at the issues regarding the integration of basic skills in vocational education. Discusses the team approach and collaborative efforts made to ensure this integration. (JOW)

Discusses development, training, and coordination practices for teams consisting of vocational counselors, vocational teachers, and special needs support services providers. Presents eight models for integrating postsecondary academic and vocational programs. (JOW)

This article offers a rationale for preparing this special issue on academic instruction in learning disabilities, elaborates on the purpose of the series of five papers included, recounts how the series was developed, and introduces the individual articles. The series reveals features of research on interventions and provides guidance in…

Higher-order thinking skills, based on Bloom's taxonomy, include evaluating, synthesizing, analyzing, and applying. Vocational educators can best develop these skills in the context of their subject matter by developing objectives that reflect the redesigning activities and test students at higher levels of cognition. (SK)

Proposes an alternative way of viewing general education, suggesting that the purpose of education can be viewed in spiritual or religious terms. Applies an ecclesiastic metaphor to portray an education that emphasizes an awareness of assumptions and the process of knowledge acquisition. Discusses teaching practices that facilitate the pursuit of…

Vocational education should not be viewed as a separate content area but as part of an educational delivery system, making it appropriate for every student learning applied competencies. (SK)

Twenty-five years ago a small volume of essays entitled "Crisis in the Humanities" was published containing an ominous message: namely, that the humanistic disciplines had arrived at a crossroad--a turning point at which a decisive change for better or worse was imminent. Humanistic scholarship appears to have declined since that…