This paper discusses practices, issues, and trends in Japanese middle school education that have bearing on U.S. education, grouping them into four categories. Section 1, "School Reform," discusses central control of education, opportunities for student creativity, improved teacher education, and the examination system. Section 2,…

Career Space is a consortium of major information and communications technology (ICT) companies working in partnership with the European Commission to encourage and enable more people to join and benefit from a dynamic e-Europe and to narrow the current skills gap. It believes the way in which engineering and computer studies students are educated…

This manual, developed to assist Missouri school personnel in the provision of educational opportunities for students with traumatic brain injury (TBI), answers commonly asked questions about the educational needs of these students, and gives practical applications of educational practices and programming. Three case studies are introduced to help…

This study used a multimethod research technique to examine the acquisition of key executive skills and attitudes required for success in the international business arena. Following a review of the literature, the report presents the results of responses by a panel of 36 international business experts from Canada, Mexico, and the United States to…

Teachers and administrators were surveyed to determine the extent to which AP Vertical Teams for English were implemented in schools. Results indicate that even though the goals of the AP Vertical Teams were only partially realized, there was some positive impact on student exposure to Pre-AP instruction and AP courses and student performance on…

Describes a kindergarten activity of dissecting owl pellets as a vehicle for promoting new partnerships and friendships. Argues that pairing children for activities based on gender, varying ethnicities, and differing abilities allows children to break down barriers and gives them experiences with children other than their best friends. (SD)

Describes an undergraduate course in applied shoreline management offered in three different formats: traditional lecture, half-lecture half-collaborative, and fully cooperative. Student evaluations significantly supported the fully cooperative format over the others. Discusses the reasons for this and includes examples of the questions used in…

Argues that a combination of communication difficulties and differing agendas hamper educational endeavors between social science researchers and educators. Recommends creating formal positions at the state or local level to facilitate linking basic and applied research to educational policy. (MJP)

Five articles examine key factors involved in the process of building and maintaining outstanding physical education programs in six school districts (supportive teacher relationships, teacher knowledge and reflection, program credibility, administrative support, and enabling factors). Each article is coauthored by a researcher and one or more…

Collaborative activities can be an ideal means to improve teacher preparation experiences. The article discusses the benefits of collaboration for both teacher educators and K-12 teachers. It details the benefits of collaborative writing projects and provides a checklist of questions professionals should ask when they contact each other to discuss…

Presents a cooperative two-day geography lesson in which student teams research and reach consensus about where in Western Europe they would like to live. Discusses use of the Jigsaw method in the lesson. Provides background information about 12 Western European countries. Explains how the lesson fulfills content and process objectives. (CH)

Describes a study which explored the effects of a program to help low-achieving fourth and fifth grade students increase their mathematics achievement. Students and teachers organized into a community of learners; the curriculum, organized around units of study with major concepts, skills, and operations, was effective for all achievers. (SM)

This "Instructor" Supplement on middle school education, presents articles on new research and materials, adolescent development, reasons for teaching middle school, moving toward a middle school curriculum, peer teaching, multimedia software, murder mysteries, ancient China, geometry, teamwork, descriptive writing, literature, problem solving,…

Describes an integrated schoolwide project at a California high school in which students learned real-world technology skills and workplace etiquette by working together to create a multimedia CD-ROM project, in the form of a quilt, that described local history. Student teams, scheduling changes, teacher roles, community judging, and student…

Describes the Rural/Urban American Indian Teacher Education Program, based on Baber's (1970) notion of the equal other. It featured cross-cultural partnerships at every possible level. Its goals were to prepare more American-Indian teachers and culturally enhance the preparation of white, female, monolingual candidates. The paper examines some of…