This book presents case studies of six "pockets of hope," democratic educational projects in which empowered students and their teachers actively engage with relevant academic and social problems. Although seemingly very different, the projects share a core commitment to democratic pedagogy and demonstrate practices consistent with…

Education for a democratic society has been a powerful, long-standing rationale for the entire public school curriculum, but the idea has special relevance for social studies education. This study used action research and qualitative case study to examine the extent to which notions of democratic citizenship developed in the personal theories of…

The core curriculum of a civic liberal education should combine the values of a stable cultural pluralism and political unity. Students should undertake scholarly and critical study of the underlying civic principles and values necessary for generating an informed and effective citizenry. (Author/MSE)

The author provides a historical approach to understanding the political, economic, and cultural motives that shaped adult education's philosophy in Poland. Analysis of the pre and post "Solidarity" movement is provided to demonstrate the role of adult education in an ongoing process of learning democratic principles. (SSH)

The teaching of moral values should involve the building of considerable structure that can easily be integrated into the existing curriculum. This program would contain seven components: personalizing the environment, building community feeling, cooperative learning, developing awareness, encouraging self-respect and respect for others, and…

Charges that education in this democracy is not democratic. Reviews the humanistic trend in education from 1960 to the present. Suggests public schools are charged with the responsibility of preparing students for a future society and, in this interest, should promote more democratic instruction which requries more democratic leadership. (JAC)

The author explores the tension between the courts' inability to establish judicially enforceable measures of equal opportunity in education and the moral force that the right to education exercises over the liberal imagination, and he suggests legal avenues for resolution of the dilemma. (Editor)

The annotated bibliography cites books and journal articles on civic education and civic literacy (six items) and service-learning, values education, and the language arts (seven items). The items cited are relevant to a course in civic commitment in the United States, taught at Michigan State University in combination with service-learning…

Argues that meritocracy's erosion of democracy is well underway in this country. Focusing on "The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life" and "The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy," the essay examines the concept of the cognitive elite, explains how the new meritocracy arose, and…

The former director of the Central Park East projects believes children's schooling should be geared toward citizenship and "generalist" vocational interests, not college admission requirements. Kindergarten encourages openness and empathy, but effects dissipate with each passing year. Educators must focus on the habits, skills, and…

Looking at structural issues that have influenced the development of Welsh and English in modern Wales, this article examines lessons gleaned from the construction of a comprehensive bilingual social order. Evidence is included from a variety of sources concerned with language and cultural reproduction. (16 references) (Author/CK)

Compared to home life, schools resemble crossroads, village squares, marketplaces, and cities. Increasing deliberative interactions among diverse students helps instill habits of behavior necessary for public life: the courtesies, manners, tolerance, respect, sense of justice, and knack for forging public policy with others. This article explains…

This paper examines Dewey's notions about an intelligent theory of education, focusing on a college student who explored the question of why scientists and schools accept evolutionary science rather than creation science, and discussing what a democratic education system can do with an alternative epistemology. (SM)

The significance of cultural diversity to the educational process has been recognized since the mid-19th century, and is reflected in the philosophies of presidents of Harvard University (Massachusetts). Current issues in diversity on campus should be viewed in this long-term perspective, with appreciation for the time it takes to effect real…

U.S. working mothers wrestle daily with a child-care crisis characterized by unavailable infant care, high costs, and inadequate access and regulation. In Denmark, high-quality child care is a guaranteed entitlement for every child. Other benefits include paid parental leaves, single-parent allowances, housing subsidies, and universal health care.…