The phenomenal growth of science and technology in the past decade has made science teaching more important, and at the same time more difficult. An awareness of these changes has caused an unprecedented public support for sound science programs in the schools. A good science program makes effective use of equipment and materials in teaching basic…

Homosexual adolescents are at risk within schools for many health problems. Hostile school environments can often exacerbate their problems. This article summarizes research on issues related to youth sexual orientation, noting controversies surrounding school involvement in the United States and describing programs instituted by school…

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits government (which includes public schools) from imposing religious beliefs and practices in schools. Examines court decisions interpreting the First Amendment, distinguishes state action from private action, and explains the notion of "limited open forum" with regard to…

Examines the effects of teachers' decision-making power on core educational issues involving conflict among teachers, students, and administrators. Discovers a positive relationship between increased teacher autonomy and decreased school conflict. Identifies and discusses several types of decisions made by teachers. (MJP)

Discusses educational standards, core curricula, competence models, school autonomy, school evaluation, and from input-to output-control as important catchwords in the present education and school policy debate. Points out that the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) has triggered a new educational debate in Germany that calls for…

Asserts that while some students will become Internet "fanatics" most will never tap the enormous power of the Internet without a coordinated system of instruction. Discusses the components of an acceptable use policy and gives examples from various schools. Recommends teachers review the technology section of educational journals. (MJP)

Identifies several policies affecting part-time, temporary, hourly rated, community college faculty in need of review and revision, including the "temporary" classification of part timers, the number of "temporary" faculty employed, hiring and evaluation policies, compensation, and part-time faculty involvement in the faculty…

Five case studies of implementation of instructional policy changes at the classroom level by elementary-school mathematics teachers are discussed. The case studies focus on California's new Mathematics Framework. The interaction between teacher practice and policy is emphasized. Teachers' inherited beliefs, knowledge, and existing practices are…

Explores aspects of successful foreign language teaching and learning that could be pertinent to the design of school policies; defines the current conception of "communicative competence"; discusses how cultural studies can be related to foreign language instruction; and describes a model policy developed during case studies across various…

Compares the position of ethnic minority languages versus Frisian in Dutch primary schools, and considers the roles of legislation, educational models, minority language usage, language attitudes, pressure groups, teacher quality, instructional materials, and the serious lack of basic research data on the acquisition, use, shift, and loss of…

Administrators at seven private and public colleges and universities nationwide offer brief statements on their intended policy on minority scholarships in light of a recent court decision, Podberesky v Kirwin, finding one University of Maryland scholarship program racially discriminatory. Most have a wait-and-see attitude while considering…

Asserts that sexual harassment is a major problem in schools. Presents a secondary-level lesson designed to help teachers and students examine this issue and identify harassing behaviors. Includes six student handouts, instructional procedures, and suggested follow-up activities. (CFR)

This article discusses the constitutionality of racially restrictive student clubs and organizations at colleges and universities, focusing on the recent proliferation of such groups, the laws and legal standards that apply to such campus groups, and recommendations to university administrators concerning racially restrictive organizations. (MDM)

This paper reconstructs the main arguments in the public debate on the market position of those with higher education degrees and uses available data to explore their empirical validity. It speculates about the impact of recent changes in the Dutch system of higher education on the labor market position of its graduates. (JB)

The legal validity and public support of racial, ethnic, and gender preferences are eroding, and all affirmative action programs must be reconsidered. All American colleges and universities must develop new plans for affirmative action programs. Policies should cover admission, financial aid, employment, and contracting. Three primary models focus…