Argues that most gender-related educational reforms will not foster the social and scientific transformations envisioned by feminist science scholars. Calls for a reconceptualization of science education that includes knowledge of the physical world along with an understanding of the biases and cultural, social, and political contexts of Western…

In this article, the author examines briefly several broad themes in reading reform to see what these can tell about policy makers' respect--or lack of respect--for teachers of reading. He talks about the current discourse of "scientifically-based" research which is about teachers, teachers who are blamed for reading failures. He…

In this article, the author discusses viewpoints on civic education reforms postulated in "Where Did Social Studies Go Wrong?," a book published by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. The book begins with a legitimate concern about the need to educate youth to care about political life; a noble mission, dating at least to the Greeks.…

In this essay the author attempts to distinguish space as a social aspect of education, see it as a force that shapes the space called school, and evaluate the ability of that public space to represent the needs and desires of the constituents it serves, tackling the essential foundations driving progressive education; seeing and living in the…

In the course of exploring critiques of globalisation, this essay will focus on two postures--each with its range of arguments--that have emerged as alternatives to globalisation, namely, the delinking position and the subverting position. The first argues for standing "outside" of globalisation and its educational cultures and apparatuses. It…

The South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), introduced in 1992-93, is a credential and formal qualification within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). SACE was recently subjected to a review that led to a series of significant recommendations. These recommendations came out of a process that began with the Review Panel…

In higher education, a university is typically loosely coupled with its suprasystems, but its various schools or colleges tend to be tightly coupled with the university, as are departments with their respective schools or colleges. Similarly, in the corporate sector, a training department is typically tightly coupled with the company management…

The Fellowship of the Scottish Council for Research in Education (SCRE) recognizes educational researchers whose work has made an outstanding contribution to research, practice, or policy. The first part of this book is the Conferment of the SCRE Fellowship by Professor Gordon Kirk, chairman of SCRE. The second and third parts are the 1992 SCRE…

The volume "Knowledge Base for the Beginning Teacher" (KBBT), published by Pergamon Press, has been put forward by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education as a guide for colleges of education seeking to establish a knowledge base for their programs. According to the book's summary, its 10 "features" closely…

Suggests that educational reform should not be undertaken because of external pressures, out of anguish or expediency; it should, rather evolve out of a realization that answers are needed to meet essential societal needs. (Author/AM)

Highlights several articles that raise questions about the role of research in educational reform. These articles argue over the use of National Assessment of Educational Progress results for accountability purposes; and the advisability of using cost-benefit analysis in critiquing educational reform proposals, and particularly, in evaluating the…

Discusses the differences and goals of four areas: (1) art appreciation; (2) art history; (3) art aesthetics; and (4) art criticism. Offers a definition of art appreciation and information on how the view of art appreciation in education has changed over time. (CMK)

Considers the question of the high turnover in educational innovations and argues that the high mortality rate of innovations is a function of their operation within an environment of institutionalized organization. Suggests that improving the performance of innovations will require understanding education as a dynamic system. (GR)

Discusses the concept of quality in art from the standpoint of the theory of mediation. Traces the idea of quality from Aristotelian criticism to Gagnepain's theory of mediation. Concludes that mediation aesthetics seek inspiration and quality only from the art work, not its contemporary meaning. (CFR)

The two major reports of the Holmes Group--"Tomorrow's Teachers" and "Tomorrow's Schools"--contain sharply contrasting rhetorics: the rhetoric of democratic values and scientistic rhetoric. Critical analysis of the reports suggests that the contrast highlights the contradictory tendencies embedded in the reform movement. (IAH)