Relation between Physical Growth and Information Processing in Infants Born in India

The relation between physical growth and cognitive development in infants growing up in India was examined in this study. Subjects were 183 5–12-month-olds. Weight and length, two anthropometric measures commonly used to index nutritional status in developing countries, related to infant measures of visual recognition memory and tactual-visual cross-modal transfer. Underweight infants performed relatively poorly on both cognitive measures and failed to show the clear age-related improvements in speed of processing found among the heavier infants. Weight and length correlated with both measures of infant cognition, r = .25 to r = .45, as did, to a lesser degree, head circumference. Although birthweight, previous illness, and parental education were also related to development, the relations between infant growth and cognition remained significant even after these variables were statistically controlled.     

The voice of the cultural restorationists: recent trends in RE policy-making

This article considers the nature of RE curriculum policy-making from 1988–97. It concentrates on the hegemonic intent of cultural restorationists. Cultural restorationism finds expression when current political action is justified by particular interpretations being placed upon the past. This involves particular use of language and a strong emphasis on tradition, culture and the past. It is also related to economics, policy-making generally and, for this article, is particularly related to RE curriculum policy-making. The ‘voice’ of the cultural restorationists is explored and the manner in which they proceeded to impact on RE policy-making. The context of text production is explored, with its public ridicule and derision, also the marginalization of key figures and groups with skilful manipulation being made of the media. Language itself was adapted and used as a tool to achieve a manipulative and ‘ratchet-like’ effect on education. Many official documents are used positively to effect their agenda, reflecting hegemonic intent. In religious education policy-making cultural restorationism is aligned closely to a ‘Christianizing’ agenda. This involves the increased use of centralizing powers and the subsequent redefinition of the role for those involved at a local level in RE. Interview data are used from parliamentarians and those seeking to influence the processes. The article concludes that RE is increasingly subject to central control, despite its unique status vis à vis the National Curriculum.     

Rethinking Affirmative Action: Redefining Compelling State Interest and Merit in Admission

The disruptive technologies of the Internet and computers are changing our world in myriad ways. These technologies are also increasingly being employed in higher education but to what effect? Are the effects on higher education quality measurable, and if so, what is the effect on the traditional gap between high-income and low- to middle-income nations on this score? This theme is pursued in this article, which uses a variety of methods to probe the question. Because great controversy attends the notion of institutional quality, measures differ, and the effect of these technologies on that quality depends to a great extent on the definition being used. Low- to middle-income countries' usage of the Internet and computer technologies lags behind that of high-income countries, but projections indicate they are catching up.