Civic education historically has focused primarily on preparing students to influence politics and government policy. Less attention has been paid to the curricular implications of civil society, even though it is a crucial site for deliberatively informed action and one of the primary ways in which students will enter the public sphere. This…

This study examined how U.S. entry into World War I and related pedagogical reforms of the early twentieth century impacted elementary social education at a local level. Analysis of state curriculum guides, records from the collection of a rural school educator, report cards, and daily attendance registers for four counties indicated that…

This study examines the role of internal factors in curricular decisions of elementary teachers regarding current events instruction. The causes of poor teacher news awareness are discussed. Recommendations for improvement include efforts in teacher training, testing, recruitment, and mandating of current events instruction. (Author/BSR)

Presents a critical commentary on "Toward an Aristocracy of Everyone" by Parker and Zumeta in the same issue. Comments on the strengths and weaknesses of proposals for public policy curricula in high schools, especially as they are able to contribute to citizenship education. Parker and Zumeta respond to these observations. (DSK)

Discusses the report of a subcommittee of the Committee of Ten dealing with history, civil government, and the political economy. Describes the makeup of the committee, its goals, and its findings on ways to improve the school curriculum. Explains that the committee advocated a broad social studies approach to the teaching of history. (DK)

Describes the development and application of a model for social studies program evaluations. A case study showing how the model's three-step process was used to evaluate the Improving Citizenship Education Project in Fulton County, Georgia is included. (AM)

Presents study results exploring the potential of a civics curriculum in developing a willingness to acknowledge the civil liberties of unpopular groups. Includes an overview of research on political tolerance and literature focusing on the shortcomings of traditional civics curricula. Argues that adolescence is an ideal period for teaching issues…

Curricular designs for social studies are reviewed and the fundamental differences in their treatment of citizenship noted. There is a need for a base of knowledge about citizenship. The establishment of a scholarly discipline of citizenship is proposed. (Author/RM)

Summarizes the traditional definition of the scope and domain of the field's interest in citizenship education, and evaluates this definition in light of the present knowledge that the process of citizenship education involves several societal institutions. Considers the implications and conditions of broadening citizenship education to non-school…

States that the Education Forum and Enterprise New Zealand Trust took exception to the lack of instruction on New Zealand's European heritage, expressing the curriculum lacked an explanation of capitalism. Reports the New Zealand Federation of Social Studies Associations complained about the lack of emphasis on decision making and critical…

Questions whether the requirement of more history courses, as called for by some reformers, will advance citizenship education. Explores the questions: Will the incorporation of more history improve social studies programs? Is curriculum reform the most urgent need in social studies education? and Should the nation expect widespread change in how…

Argues that, with the increasing diversity of the U.S. population, education needs to respond by figuring out a meaningful way to embrace values of civic unity and cultural diversity at the same time. Discusses problems encountered in addressing diversity within civic education and means to bridge the gap. (DSK)

Discusses feminism and its role in social studies. Suggests that adding a few female names and faces has not changed the inherent masculinity of the culture. Argues that women's contributions are overlooked because they do not fit the male model of achievement. Suggests that women's culture must be articulated in the social studies. (DK)

Maintains that the field of social studies defines its central purpose through endorsements of citizenship education. Reports on three case studies of elementary teachers using Catherine Cornbleth's three types of citizenship education: the illusory, the technical, and the constructive. (CFR)

Discusses 25 years of attempts to define social studies and to research social studies education. Argues that a definition that denies teachers' diverse experiences and instructional methods is dysfunctional and that research has advanced little. Calls for a reexamination of the research enterprise itself and of graduate training in education.…