Students have problems in their lives, but can teachers help them? Should teachers help? The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act and its emphasis on standardized test results have forced school systems to produce high scores, and in turn school administrators pressure teachers to prepare students for taking standardized tests. Teachers may want to…

The principal failure of attempts to reduce illiteracy in the United States lies in the conceptualization of the problem to which literacy is the solution and in an underfinanced practice that parallels dominant educational institutions, emphasizing the service of individuals. Adult education plays a critical role in liberatory action. Although…

Suggests that college biology programs prepare students to handle biosocial problems by offering courses in many different disciplines and in problem solving. (LS)

The values-in-conflict approach is emphasized as an effective method for developing student understanding of social problems. For journal availability see annotation SO 504 171. (Author/DE)

Notes that Sweden has been making continuing progress in its conquest of poverty. Examines the Swedish strategy and discusses its successes in the areas of poverty, slums and housing, health conditions, and unemployment and the labor force. (NB)

Discusses a generalized approach to societal problems, consisting of a series of questions that can be asked as problems are investigated. Questions focus on nature of problem situation, what problems are, situational/historical contexts of problems, possible solutions, consequences of solutions, ways of testing proposed solutions, and what…

Items on the unfinished agendas of society, education, and physical education include: (1) the war on human suffering; (2) the paradox of education as the equalizer of social differences, although it recognizes individual merit based on academic excellence; and (3) physical education as an agent of social change and responsibility. (JN)

Analyzes the development of the runaway problem and the dramatic increases in number of runaways. This typology classifies runaways by level of alienation with family and the degree to which the child internalizes running away as response to stress. Treatment is discussed. (Author/NRB)

Describes the Future Problem Solving Program, in which students from the U.S. and around the world are tackling some complex challenges facing society, ranging from acid rain to terrorism. The program uses a creative problem solving process developed for business and industry. A sixth-grade toxic waste cleanup project illustrates the process.…

Children with only months of life experience and brain development are just beginning to learn social problem solving. No wonder young children frequently make mistakes! Teachers tend to complain about tattling more than any other behavior. To many teachers, tattling is irksome, but there is more to this behavior than meets the eye. In this…

Suggests that students could easily apply knowledge and skills acquired in biology instruction to other disciplines if that instruction had been integrated with other disciplines. (LS)

This paper deals with the problems of rigorous research within the dynamic organizational context. Definitions and axioms establish the natures of a social problem, a social intervention program, continuous program monitoring, a method of describing alternative treatments, treatment effect testing, and programmatic change. These definitions and…

This article outlines a model system for the use of supportive teachers working with students who have social, academic, and other problems that hamper their performance in the school environment. (JD)

The reconstructionist philosophy is a means by which individuals can improve their lives and solve existing problems so as to better one's chances for survival. Considers the implications of this philosophy for education, the teacher, and for students. (Author/RK)