Presents study results determining how individuals' performances in a subject relate to the value that society places on that subject. Explains that the study examined the relationship between each discipline and the cognitive capabilities of each subject. Concludes that failing students use an original conception, whereas successful students use…

While data on the onset of cigarette smoking among younger adolescents has been investigated extensively, it is less clear whether the same social factors influence older adolescents. To examine these social factors, as well as the influence of personality and beliefs, 1,977 high school participants in an anti-smoking study completed a…

Reports on a study of the effect of community service on 71 undergraduate students. Finds that community service work combined with discussion of relevant moral issues is an effective way of moving students into the postconventional stage of principled moral reasoning. Discusses other benefits of community service work. (CFR)

Recounts a series of teaching exercises designed to develop a critical awareness of attitudes toward gays and lesbians. The first set consists of short, active-listening exercises between students. The second involves observation and comparison of public displays of affection between heterosexual couples and gay couples. (MJP)

Reports on surveys comparing personal and moral values of 89 Saudi Arabian and 96 British adolescents. Finds that Islam has a profound impact on the values of the Saudi students, whereas religious views have only a limited effect on the British students. Also finds that the British students place a higher value on friends and family. (ACM)

The Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) database based on the American Freshmen Survey provides data for use in making marketing and management decisions in colleges and universities. This paper describes an operational cooperative model for managing and exploiting the data that CIRP makes available. The paper also offers an example…

Asserts that issues of equality and equity are important to teachers and school administrators. Reviews previous research and reports on interviews with students about their conceptions of fairness. Includes a table illustrating how students develop conceptions of fairness and a class survey. (CFR)

Reviews research on students' concepts and theories of fair and effective educational practices. Asserts that students are insightful critics of schooling and hold different theories about how schools should be defined. Maintains that moral education programs could encourage students and teachers to negotiate fair classroom practices. (CFR)

Provides historical background for understanding social changes and the resulting problems facing Japan's schools. Topics include resistance of youth to society and its schools, the breakdown of regional communities, the impact of competition for grades, and the changing role of teachers. (JHZ)

Questions the current thesis that people from "collectivist" cultures are less likely to make character inferences based on physical attractiveness. Presents the results of a study that revealed Taiwanese undergraduates assigning positive character attributes to people based on their physical attractiveness. Discusses related literature…

Introduces the Reflective Judgment model of intellectual development which illustrates how reasoning skills develop in adulthood and relates this to multicultural education at the college level. The model can inform instruction and help students think about complex issues from different perspectives. (MJP)

Analyzes the responses of 13 undergraduate education majors to a cheating incident in their moral development and education class. Interviewed by their teacher, the students discussed the incident in terms of teacher-student relationships, trust, individual morality versus imposed morality, and ethics. Relates these responses to theories on moral…

Summarizes and comments on a series of interviews with Chinese students in the United States regarding conflicts with landlords, professors, and merchants. Discusses the dichotomy between their desire to assert themselves and their feelings of apprehension dealing with unfamiliar relationships and power structures. Considers this experience in…

Examines the enormous pressure Chinese students face at home and in school to obtain high academic achievement. Analyzes the cultural, economic, and political factors contributing to the situation. Concludes with an argument for balancing educational goals with other aspects of the students' lives. (MJP)

Reports on a study that examined the effects of the "Facing History and Ourselves" program on moral development and psychological functioning. Asserts that this study adds to the literature suggesting that human rights education positively affects students' moral development. (CFR)