Asserts that tests of student performance in economics courses on the college level do not necessarily enable educators to infer anything about what students have learned or the manner in which they have learned it. Suggests that economics instruction be tailored to the individual, allowing for different learning styles. (Author/DB)

Explores the projected oversupply of new economics Ph.D.s and its implications for college and university programs. Topics discussed include undergraduate enrollment in economics and business courses, the emergence of business schools as a growth market for economists, relative salary movements, field switching, and shifts in the kinds of doctoral…

Summarizes a recently completed study of the teaching of economics in high schools throughout the United States. Provides data on the increase in economic education, the experience and background of teachers, and on the opinions of teachers regarding currently available economics materials. Suggests that considerable progress has been made…

To shed light on persistent differences in grading practices among disciplines, this article investigated the differences and concluded that they emanated from basic differences in disciplinary educational objectives and corresponding socialization strategies. Disciplines were dichotomized into normative and utilitarian types. Sociology and the…

Identifies and analyzes characteristics which are frequently mentioned as contributing to effective schools. Among the characteristics are that they improve the effectiveness and efficiency of students' work by organizing material and/or instruction, increase the amount of work students perform per unit of time, reduce distractions, and encourage…

This essay explores perspectives on teaching and learning by considering how a particular reform program (Individually Guided Education) is influenced by the social conditions in which it is realized. Individually Guided Education (IGE) is an approach to elementary school reform based on mastery-learning techniques. (DB)

A typology of the terms used in school system planning and evaluation is intended to eliminate inconsistent terminology. (MLF)

Discusses development education as an educational process aimed at preparing people for participation in change and examines the implications for disarmament education. Development education is interpreted to include adult literacy education as well as a system of spreading basic concepts and encouraging and developing local initiatives. (DB)

Discusses a survey undertaken to determine the background and characteristics of social studies classroom teachers in the United States. The sample consisted of 1,200 social studies teachers in six states. Results are presented in the four following articles in this issue of "Social Education." (See SO 509 153 through SO 509 156.) (DB)

This article presents results regarding political participation from a survey of the background and characteristics of 1,200 social studies classroom teachers in six states. Findings indicated that 98 percent of social studies teachers voted frequently or occasionally. Information is also presented on political contributions, attendance at public…

Traces developments in American education from its inception in colonial days when the public schools were intended to be "above politics, free of contamination produced by political controversy, disagreement, and discord." Discusses the current state of education, with stress on the loss of consensus. Journal available from American Academy of…

Criticizes the view held by an increasing number of contemporary philosophers of education that the main focus of educational philosophy should be practical, rather than theoretical. Suggests that the primary aim of philosophers of education should be to contribute to the philosophical understanding of education, not to solving its day-to-day…

The findings of a national study of student attitudes toward their school counseling programs are presented. (Author/MLF)

In response to the perceived uneasiness about the state of citizenship education in public schools, the article focuses on various studies and reports on political illiteracy, examines the isolation of most social studies programs from the community, views the role of students in the community, and recommends that students be more actively…

Describes and evaluates the use of the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) to teach an introductory public policy course on the college level. Also discusses student performance and evaluations. (Author/DB)