School truancy--defined by a student's refusal to attend part or all of the school day, along with a defined number of unexcused absences--is an increasingly frustrating and complex problem for teachers and school administrators. Although statistics on the prevalence of truancy in the United States do not exist due to lack of uniformity among…

Problem-based learning allows students to tackle significant academic subject matter. A Canadian high school social studies teacher energized students by choosing a relevant problem (the changing family), organizing subject matter around it, making students responsible for shaping and directing their own learning, using small teams, and requiring…

When closely examining America's children, we see that even basic needs for care, shelter, food, and love are going unmet for millions. Family, society, and school are failing children barraged with conflicting consumer messages. The restoration of childhood demands creation of enlightened social policy and child-friendly islands of decency.…

Author presented the case against the institution of a no-fault divorce law. (RK)

To help future teachers understand how problems of poverty, abuse, and indifferent medical care affect children's learning, the elementary education faculty at SUNY-College at Oneonta (New York) instituted a new graduation requirement called "Early Field Experiences." Elementary education majors must complete 40 hours of field…

Grim statistics on poor children, homeless families, and child abuse belie our civic leaders' public assertions of love and concern for children. Children are often not well-served in their relationships with adults. Educators need to cooperate with others to create social policy that treats children as valued persons, not commodities. Includes…

The main reasons that students drop out of high school are poor grades, family problems, and financial problems. The school reform movement may compound marginal students' difficulties and cause more students to drop out. (MD)

Concern over the moral condition of American society is spawning a new character-education movement requiring teachers to create a moral community, practice moral discipline, foster classroom democracy, teach values through the curriculum, stress cooperative learning and conflict resolution, and foster caring beyond the classroom. (MLH)

Outlines the most current statistics and demographics on the increase in poverty since 1980 in the United States, the increase of single parent families headed by women, and the increasing number of children who live in poverty (currently 21 percent). The reasons for the increased poverty are cited as due to government neglect. (MD)

Outlines the changes in the family structure in our society and the new stresses this puts on the children and the schools who are now faced with educating students with many potential problems. The report covers marriage, divorce, women's employment, sex, unmarried pregnancy, childbearing, changing family size, and poverty. Includes references…