States that the centrist position, emphasizing citizenship transmission, dominates social studies education. Claims that instruction is unstimulating as a result of its design and that teachers are educationally unprepared to adopt new methods. Advocates preservice teacher exposure to various models to allow an informed choice in teaching style.…

Explores teachers' conceptions of the meaning of history. Contends that teachers' conceptions of history tend to place them in one of five typologies: storyteller, scientific historian, relativist/reformer, cosmic philosopher, or eclectic. Finds that these conceptions are related to teacher background, teacher belief, and teacher knowledge.…

Examines the professional development opportunities that accompanied the New York State social studies draft framework to explore: (1) the range of opportunities teachers had to learn about the framework; (2) the content and instruction of these opportunities; and (3) teachers' responses to the framework and professional development opportunities.…

Presents a study analyzing the relationship between preservice teachers' perspectives of their role and how they teach social studies. Identifies seven perspectives: scholar psychologist, friendly scholar, inculcator, facilitator of thinking and lifelong learning, friendly pedagogue, empowerer, and nurturer. Concludes that multiple approaches to…