Concern over student opinion questionnaires expressing widespread dissatisfaction with the basic science curriculum of the University of Texas Medical Branch prompted efforts to improve the curriculum. With the help of the University's Office of Research in Medical Education, improvements were made that increased student satisfaction and improved…

The Larry P. decision is criticized with reference to: (1) predictive tests and the standard curriculum; (2) the court's portrayal of special classes; (3) the effects of the 1972 decision on special class enrollment; (4) semantic confusion; and (5) the impact on Black children who experience academic difficulty. (Author/CTM)

This article addresses the question of why intelligence tests were put on trial. The courts had to weigh the validity of intelligence tests once California chose to rely upon intelligence tests to justify the large numbers of Black children in classes for the educable mentally retarded. (Author/CTM)

Describes development, implementation, and evaluation of a computer-assisted instructional (CAI) program in advanced (doctoral) pharmacotherapeutics at the University of Georgia. All students found the CAI a valuable learning experience and felt it enhanced patient-problem solving skills, but felt it should supplement, not replace, traditional…

Provides a rationale for character education and emphasizes its need, based on the visions of America of Theodore Roosevelt, Alexis de Tocqueville, and others. Briefly lists some useful suggestions from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development for adding character education to the curriculum. Includes a list of references. (MJP)

Reaffirms the responsibilities of social studies teachers to teach character and civic virtue. Identifies a series of public and private character traits that students must learn if democracy is to succeed. These include civility, respect for law, persistence, negotiation and compromise, courage, and tolerance of ambiguity. (MJP)

Describes the focus and activities of the schools involved in California's "Partnerships in Character Education" project. In its third year, the pilot project has developed five separate school programs. Team members assess the environment of the school and design a program incorporating adult modeling and curriculum integration. (MJP)

Provides a brief historical background for the current character education movement. Identifies mandates and support for character education in California's schools and shares implications of the character education movement for California teachers. Includes a list of California's Standards for the Teaching Profession regarding character…

Describes ways black students and white students organize and interact on college campuses. Students overwhelmingly interact with others of their own race, but such patterns can be changed and racist attitudes can be defused by facilitating new patterns of social interaction. Discusses the promotion of future racial interaction and the acceptance…

A study compared the performance of 21 sixth graders receiving Title I services, 13 with learning disabilities, 9 gifted students, and 58 others on a legal knowledge test after a 3-week course in a mainstream setting. The groups differed significantly on declarative knowledge tasks, but not on procedural and conditional knowledge tasks. Results…

Focuses on the impact of weak labor force attachment on grade retention by the ninth grade among urban black children. Suggests that higher risks of grade retention are associated with welfare dependency only when income is obtained from welfare alone and receipt of welfare is persistent. (MJP)

Maintains that a paramount task of religious education is to expose and redress social injustice. Identifies two of the most pervasive problems as sexism and racism. Argues that, because of their theological authenticity and influence, religious educators are in a unique position to effect social change. (MJP)

The magnitude of juvenile violence calls for interventions that are part of a multifaceted, long-term approach toward violence prevention. This article outlines two versions of a school violence prevention program guided by developmental principles, including support and challenge, significant role-taking experiences, guided reflection, a balance…

Outlines three lesson plans designed to increase students' knowledge of candidates, public policy issues, and social responsibility as well as develop problem-solving skills. Different sets of activities address the issues of politicians vs. leaders; the relationship among politics, power, and conflict; identifying and prioritizing issues in an…

Provides a brief overview of the current arguments concerning campaign finance reform and congressional term limits. Discusses limits on spending, special interest contributions, "soft money," the power of incumbents, and the role of Political Action Committees. Includes a brief historical synopsis of campaign finance reform movements.…