Discusses research on political tolerance, noting that traditional civics curricula do little to promote tolerance, and that tolerance for diverse beliefs must be learned. The paper describes the development and teaching of a four-week curriculum for tolerance and reflects on the need for educators to foster greater tolerance among young people.…

Discussion of differences in the ways that female and male faculty approach the use of technology in teaching focuses on a study of female faculty learning design preferences in critical feminist teaching. Considers learner-centered approaches; interactions with students in computer-mediated communication (CMC); democratization in online…

School governance reform in post-apartheid South Africa aimed to democratize schooling while accommodating diverse school histories of underdevelopment or self-management. Analysis of relevant legislation shows the reform was structured to allow representative democracy and partnerships. But two recent studies suggest that governance reforms have…

Asserts that social studies teachers must combine individual rights and responsibilities when teaching citizenship. Contends democracy depends on citizenship literacy, or citizens who understand their First Amendment rights as well as their obligations. Stresses the importance of teaching students to think critically about their role as citizens.…

While visiting small town school districts across the country, two educational administration professors discovered that boards of education everywhere faced the same challenges and exercised considerable competence, conscientiousness, and civic responsibility. Chief concerns were trying economic circumstances, changing demography, and district…

Discusses the impact on social studies education of events following World War II, including the Cold War and McCarthyism. Examines the professional literature to determine how the emphasis in social studies education changed from stressing broad societal and international goals to rote learning of civic duties. Concludes that after the 1950s,…

Stresses the need to challenge students' unrealistic ideas and heightened expectations of U.S. presidential performance. Maintains that college courses about the presidency must stress the role of the president within the context of democratic accountability, Madisonian principles, and the separation of powers doctrine. Discusses presidential…

Several recent reports which call for educational reform see the primary function of the nation's schools as serving the interests of economic productivity. A prevalent theme of these reports is that school practice should be modeled after the corporate workplace. Implications of such an environment for civic education are discussed. (IAH)

Discusses ways to promote a European curriculum against two political tendencies: (1) attacks on "Eurocentrism"; and (2) the ongoing educational cooperation among European nations. Provides three as guidelines for future development: (1) critical attitude; (2) curricular pluralism; and (3) free discussion and human rights. (CFR)

Discusses digital convergence, moral responsibilities, democratic principles, and the need to provide access to basic equipment that can be part of an information network; access to public information, including the ability to receive and transmit information necessary for effective citizen participation; and effective interfacing, i.e.,…

Examines John Dewey's remarks about the interrelationship between democracy and education in light of historic conditions in Czechoslovakia and postcommunist realities. Suggests that the world often has little in common with Dewey's social framework which conceived education as a means of guiding children toward active citizenship. (MAB)

Describes the school governance and student behavior policies at a private K-12 school in Massachusetts. Maintains that students, faculty, and staff have well-defined responsibilities. Provides recommendations for changes that would lead to enhanced student learning. (CFR)

Today's students lack sufficient opportunities to practice caring or be rewarded for caring behavior. A caring culture in schools requires not radical restructuring of policies, curricula, and systems but subtle changes in attitudes and scope. Educators must consider students within their social and developmental contexts, redefine the teacher's…

Describes how the "three little pigs" appeared as defendants and the wolf as plaintiff in a mock court held in a Texas 9- to 12-year class studying government and democracy in action. Discusses organizational details, and practical and educational values of this popular exercise. (ETB)

Describes how cumulative voting works in corporations, where stockholders voting for boards of directors can split their votes among the number of shares they own. Maintains that this approach is being proposed in political elections as a means to provide minority representation. Presents an example of the procedure. (CFR)