Explores the contexts of the letters citizens send their legislators, focusing exclusively on their value. Suggests that the letters about political issues and personal concerns sent by citizens are of great value to both the writer and the reader. (SKC)

Participatory democracy should replace protectionist democracy as the organizing principle for civic education. An outline of a curriculum for democratic participation is presented. One facet of this curriculum, the teaching of democratic values, is examined in detail through the example of a study of the nuclear freeze movement. (Author/RM)

The major objective of the Improving Citizenship Education Project (ICE) of the Fulton County (Georgia) school system was to improve the knowledge and attitudes of K-12 students about political science and citizenship. The ICE program is described as a model for other school systems. (RM)

Data culled from five 1980s studies show that youth today are committed to rewarding careers, good jobs, traditional values, marriage, and family. They are fixated on personal bread-and-butter issues and turn away from community and group problems. (RM)

Self-administered questionnaires were used to investigate the affective, cognitive, and behavioral political orientations of 150 Mexican American parochial high school students. Variables included attitudes toward and knowledge about Mexican, Chicano, and American political systems. Results showed acculturation having an important mediating role…

Presents a retrospective look at two citizen participation programs of the 1960s and 1970s. Cautions that involving the community cannot be left to chance but must be planned and structured. Presence of a school council may not mean that the entire community will have an interest in the life of the school. (SA)

The possibility that technology can be used to provide qualified citizens direct access to and participation in political decision-making processes will influence the social studies curriculum like no other innovation or event in our history. Teachers must introduce basic concepts of responsibility and participation in terms of direct democracy.…

Examines gap between private and public life and the resulting decline in civic participation. Emphasizes role of experiential education in developing civic consciousness through collaboration with business and community and utilizing its unique characteristics. Stresses benefits to experiential education, including ways to transfer peak…

A national citizenship survey, in which over 600,000 students in grades two through junior high school participated, showed that students have a positive but realistic view of their government, take their responsibility as citizens--and their right of free speech--seriously, and love their country because it is a free country. (RM)

This article discusses issues involving education for scientific literacy. Citizens need to understand how science and technology impinge upon public policy; education must equip them to make decisions in areas where science and society interact. (PP)

A school board member describes how the actions of legislators, judges, and lay groups are draining control from the local level. (Author)

Discusses major characteristics of the 21st century and stresses that a high degree of global interdependence is probable. Skills that students will need to deal with the future are identified and ways in which schools can prepare them for their future roles are specified. (Author/DB)

The aim of the report is to inform and ignite interest in moving beyond a reflection on the dual purpose of public education to an action plan that seeks to strike the balance between academics and civic engagement for our students. In the winter of 2004, working under a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, leaders in education reform,…

On March 30, 2004, the United States Department of Education (ED) and the Character Education and Civic Engagement Technical Assistance Center (CETAC) hosted a listening session to provide suggestions about the contents of a publication intended for educators, parents, community advocates, and businesses about key issues related to understanding…

This paper introduces the Connecticut Community Conversations project and discusses the origins of the partnership between Public Agenda and the Graustien Memorial Fund in Connecticut. It describes Public Agenda's model of community dialogue and engagement and how it was specifically applied in the project. It then looks closely at the experience…