Asserts that K-12 schools and colleges have made strong efforts to diversify faculty and student bodies and to expand multicultural and global education. Examines the political and social values that underlie the debate about social values, multiculturalism, and the goals of education. Concludes that world studies explores a wider world than a…

Examines the "Handbook of Research on Social Studies Teaching and Learning's" section on context effect. Reviews influences that shape social studies, including research, student groups, family environment, mass media (especially television), testing, curriculum mandates, and local-to-national community pressures. (CH)