The curriculum evaluation reviews content and teaching methods of various materials in civic and legal education. Twenty-one objectives of the Law in a Free Society project are identified and the adequacy of the materials reviewed to attain these objectives is discussed. Objectives include recognition of the following: (1) complexities of legal…

The document presents a report of a February, 1977 conference in Sarasota, Florida, which dealt with local transportation planning and citizen skills. The conference served as a forum for exploring citizen input into issues which had been generated in public meetings, a referendum, the city and county commissions, and hearings before state…

The purpose of the conference was to explore how schools can prepare students to function in a democratic society beset by unprededented demands, complexities, and inconsistencies between theory and practice. Educational reform was the long-range goal, the short-term goal being the extension of dialogue in large and small school districts leading…

One of a series of bulletins designed to aid social studies teachers, this issue serves as a guide in handling controversial issues in the classroom. The need for a policy statement from the local board of education is noted as the first step in allowing the free exchange of ideas. Considerations in deciding to study an issue are suggested:…

The resource unit, developed by the University of Minnesota's Project Social Studies, is the third in a series of six units on continuity and change in American civilization. The social system of the democratic age (1820-1840) is investigated with emphasis on voluntary associations which pioneered social reforms. Changes in the executive branch…

The present study looks at an example of institutional change directly resulting from the industrialization process --the industrial or vocational education movement. The thesis of this study is that an understanding of the debate over how schools should adapt to industrialization will reveal the nature of basic value choices which the American…

Ten chapters that present and evaluate alternative models for State school finance plans and for Federal aid, and school fiscal policy recommendations comprise this document, Volume Five of the NEFP series. Volume One of this series deals with educational needs, Volume Two with economic factors and education, Volume Three with various aspects of…

American schools have been credited with building American democracy. This is a myth which has been largely responsible for the resistance of today's schools to needed change. Exposing this myth are records of several major urban school systems which show the high rate of school failure among the urban poor since before 1900. These statistics have…

This collection of materials and ideas is designed for the high school student who wants to try to influence society. The guide provides background information and descriptions of experience-based learning activities for use by students as they explore political involvement opportunities in their communities. The purposes of the materials are to…

Analyzes extent to which Marxist theories of social class influence can explain structure of schooling in the United States. Argues that theoretical and empirical flaws exist in Marxist studies and concludes that effects of class processes have been minimal compared to Europe because of a political system that has limited social class influences…

Service-learning is a teaching method that engages young people in community problem-solving as part of their education, both in school and out-of-school settings. Service-learning has the potential to be a powerful experiential education practices because it not only fosters effective learning, also prepares the next generation for democratic…

This document consists of 3 volumes of a serial devoted to law-related education (LRE) offering background information on a wide range of legal issues and teaching strategies for LRE. The title themes for the three volumes include "International Law,""Crime and Freedom," and "Civil Law". Background articles are…

This document consists of three issues of a serial devoted to law-related education (LRE) that offers background information on a wide range of legal issues and teaching strategies for LRE. The title themes for the three issues include: (1) "Speech, Press, Religion, Assembly, Petition"; (2) "Law in the New Information Age"; and…

The best expression of a people's ideals is to be found in their literature, and there is no better or more effective means of disseminating these ideals among the masses of the people than through the right use of the best of the literature in the schools and elsewhere. The great struggle in which the United States is now engaged for the…

Criticizes the national civics standards for emphasizing shared political values over political participation, oversimplifying the relationships among U.S. political values, and relying upon elite statements to identify those values. Characterizes the proposed standards as a symbolic ritual for reinforcing cultural hegemony. (MJP)