Drawing from autobiographical essays prepared by students enrolled in urban community college districts in eight states, this report profiles the lives of these students with particular focus on family background; educational objectives; obligations and problems related to work and home life; and career and educational plans and goals.…

Prospective teachers in early field placements may gradually develop more mature concerns for pupils if they are given opportunities to reflect upon classroom experience. This study provides information concerning a reflective inquiry model compatible with early field placement. Participants were 12 student teachers engaged in classroom teaching…

This paper reports a study that investigated the development of second language (L2) communication strategies (code-switching, all-purpose words, word coinage, approximation, and circumlocution) over time. In the study, 8 adult learners in a full-time English as a second language program provided oral narrations of an eight-frame picture story at…

A family case study of a 12-year-old hearing impaired girl who refused to attend a new school when her family moved indicated anxiety about meeting the new school's standards, her mother's return to work; her siblings' adjustment to their new school; and her father's focus on work activities. (CB)

As more university courses are offered online educators have much to learn regarding how to use this technology to facilitate effective learning. Some educators have mastered online teaching and are regarded by their students as highly effective. Researchers in this study consulted graduate students who had completed their degrees by online…

Recent studies and personal narratives suggest a connection between the low academic achievement of Latina/o students in the United States to the lack of care they experience in schools. The author reports on a study he conducted of the Chicago-based Pedro Albizu Campos Alternative High School, focusing on the experiences of its students and…

This paper discusses ethical dilemmas in early childhood education as identified by 26 kindergarten and early elementary school teachers. Ethical dilemmas are investigated in the theoretical framework of virtue epistemology. The method used in the study is a relational reading of teachers' narratives. Interpretive accounts are created to allow…

This paper compares and contrasts the author's adult learning experiences with those of another adult learner in order to understand the inter-relationship between the domains of education and "work and love" (Merriam, 1993) imbedded in adult development theory. The author interviewed a female colleague of similar age and place of…

Two experimental studies involving 70 preservice teachers are described that examined the effect of literary texts in teacher education on changing attitudes toward children with disabilities. In both studies, reading literary texts was more effective than reading professional texts in promoting positive attitude change. Implications are…

Excerpts from case reports illustrate some problems and dilemmas of three teacher trainees who entered teaching via alternative certification. The article highlights ways in which they were helped or harmed by the intervention of their mentor teachers. Based on analysis of case material, policy recommendations are made to school districts. (IAH)

Examined interrater reliability of information obtained during child sexual abuse assessments using a clinical assessment interview protocol featuring anatomic dolls and patterns of disclosure and doll demonstration across subject's age, gender, and case outcome. Results suggest specific areas that tend to be ambiguous and areas that may be more…

Explored several Holmes Scholars' perceptions regarding the Holmes Scholars Network's influence upon their career development, examining conditions that affected entry into teaching. Four participant researchers collaboratively examined their personal narratives and research texts. Results found three themes: mapping new destinations, surviving in…

Reconstructs the main sources of teachers' sense of vulnerability through an analysis of primary school teachers professional biographies. Finds these sources of vulnerability: administrative or policy measures; professional relationships in the school; and limits to teachers' efficacy. Suggests autobiographical reflection and story-telling as…

Explores nature of physician decision making in the case of elderly who reside in the community. Interviews with 40 physicians revealed 3 dilemma sources: (1) how much to intervene in patients' lives to reduce risk; (2) structural, moral, and medical limits to patient advocacy; and (3) assessing vulnerability and quality of life when pondering…

Using Swindler's settled discourse theory, examined 12 women superintendents' discourse to determine whether patterns in their talk about work experiences contain events or episodes of inequality. Five topics emerged: power, silence, style, responsibility, and people. Each was analyzed to discover how women treated such experiences in their…