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Learning to read in English is difficult for adult English language learners. Teachers know that their learners come from diverse backgrounds, have different experiences with literacy in their first languages, and have various reasons for learning English. They also know that there is no simple recipe to help their students become proficient readers. What does the research say? How does it inform instructional practice? This paper summarizes the research on adult English language learners reading English, offers ESL teachers and administrators suggestions for instruction, and points to areas where further research is needed. Four sections comprise this paper. The first part of this paper describes factors that need to be taken into account in literacy instruction for adults learning English--learners' levels of literacy in the first language, levels of oral proficiency in English, educational backgrounds, and goals for learning English. Subsequent sections give an overview of the reading process for second language learners; discuss the benefits of reading for promoting second language development; and summarize research findings, their implications for practice, and major areas in which research is needed. (Contains 10 figures and a bibliography.)

This survey gives an overview of research into language teaching and learning in New Zealand over a five-year period, including the context of that research. The majority of New Zealanders are monolingual English speakers, yet the country faces complex linguistic challenges arising from its bicultural foundations and the multicultural society it has become. The survey encompasses the teaching and learning of indigenous and community languages, including "te reo Maori" and New Zealand Sign Language, both official languages; the teaching and learning of foreign languages and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL); psychological factors in language learning; and language teacher education. Certain themes recur: the daunting task of maintaining minority languages against a tide of language shift, the lag between language trends and language policy, and the struggle to create space within the education system for cultural and linguistic diversity. Research into language teaching and learning in New Zealand is vibrant, but there is a need for greater collaboration, generalisability and more effective dissemination of research findings. Future research should focus on the effectiveness of methodologies and programmes in international comparison, and helping teachers and course designers to refine the use of digital technology.

Describes the development of the Ethical Principles and Guidelines for Family Scientists that the National Council on Family Relations Board of Directors unanimously approved. Discusses the importance of ethics education for family professionals, provides suggestions for educators, and delineates the ethical principles and guidelines. (Contains 33 references, 1 table, and an appendix.) (GCP)

This paper, written from the perspective of the child advocacy community, acknowledges the importance of the business community in the political process. The paper profiles the contrast between two New Jerseys, one of prosperity, the other struggling under excruciating poverty. The economic boom of the 1980s broadened the gap between wealthy suburbs and the depressed inner cities. Statistics cited demonstrate that New Jersey's children are in need. A report by the Committee for Economic Development, "Children in Need: Investment Strategies for the Educational Disadvantaged," influenced groups to form a collaboration. The Partnership for New Jersey, the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, and several other well-known groups in the state's education and human service communities formed the steering committee of the Invest in Children Coalition. This coalition exemplifies the types of support that businesses can give. Justification for the committee's starting point, early intervention, is given. The process started with a conference in May 1989, at which three major objectives were derived: to generate widespread and active support, to build a broad advocacy coalition, and to collaborate with others in the private and public sectors. Information on the Institute for Educational Leadership is appended. (RR)

A recent concern with the informal support systems of elderly people has focused on the ways in which the eldery live independently with the help of others, primarily the family. In order to explore the dimensions of social space (emotional closeness, and physical distance) as they relate to friendship, elderly, unmarried women (N=70) living in a suburban metropolitan area participated in tape recorded interviews. Data analyses indicated that, contrary to expectation, greater physical distance correlated positively with emotional closeness. In addition, duration of friendship correlated positively with emotional closeness, and frequency of interaction correlated positivley with proximity. Using Simmel's approach to the study of social relationships, the data were collapsed into four categories: (1) emotionally and physically close; (2) emotionally distant and physically close; (3) emotionally close and physically distant; and (4) emotionally and physically distant. Further analysis indicated that emotionally close, local friends were most likely to help the elderly individual and improve her psychological well-being. Since only 60% of the respondents had emotionally close, local friends, future research could focus on the importance of other types of friendships. (AG)

Rising medical costs and declining tax revenues in recent years have forced many states to make deep cuts in services provided by Medicaid, the health care program for the poor. Both state and federal officials want to lower the program's spiraling costs -- largely from prescription drugs and long-term care -- but there is widespread disagreement about what changes are needed. Republicans say Medicaid -- the nation's largest health insurance program -- needs a radical overhaul. Instead of an unlimited entitlement program, they want to convert at least part of the program into a capped grant, which would give states more freedom from federal rules. Democrats say caps would be inequitable because they would lead to deeper cuts in tough economic times. Both liberals and conservatives agree, however, that the current growth of the program must be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]