A report is presented of a national assessment of young Americans' achievement of citizenship goals. Conducted by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the study measured achievement of six behavioral objectives. These were: (1) show concern for the well-being and dignity of others, (2) support just law and the rights of all…

This teacher-oriented guide presents information and resources for use in increasing political literacy of K-12 social studies students. The main objective of the guide is to further civic literacy through increased knowledge and understanding of political structures and processes and of effective citizen participation. Emphasis is on helping…

This document reviews the consequences of urban community involvement in school decision making. Areas concerning educational decisions, shared as goals by lay communities and school people, are considered to be: institutional responsiveness, affective and material community support to schools, educational achievement, and the democratic principle…

The unit confronts the student with the historical evolution of the role of the government employee in the American democracy, and suggests that a society's concept of this role reflects its presumptions about itself, as well as the changing circumstances with which it has to cope. The unit contrasts the "natural aristocracy" and "democratic…

This unit is designed to encourage the students to discover the relevancy of American democratic ideals to their daily lives. It concentrates on the meaning of the fundamental freedoms expressed in the First Amendment: freedom of speech, press, assembly, petition, and religion. In addition, the student should receive some concrete insights into…

Effectiveness of discussion methods directed by lay leaders was compared with effectiveness of the lecture method used by professional subject matter specialists in the liberal arts program, The Ways of Mankind, given by the University Extension of the University of California at Los Angeles. Effectiveness was defined in terms of the degree to…

This research was conducted to determine whether 6 weeks devoted to the study of communism would develop greater commitments to democratic values among secondary school students. Also studied were the effects of teacher background, fathers' education levels, students' political preferences, and the time, extent and pattern of instruction on the…

Emphasizing Europe's role in the growth of Western institutions and ideals, this guide stresses the development of skills necessary for active participation in democratic processes. An introductory unit on the Renaissance and the Reformation is followed by units on (1) the political events fostering the growth of the modern national state and the…

Education will become the functioning instrument of a stable democracy by being in all its stages and dimensions an example of the democratic process. Within this framework, the desegregation of our schools can proceed; and with the desegregation of our schools, we can achieve that more difficult stage--the true integration of our schools. The…

This paper develops a basic conceptual framework of values and the valuing process. Section 1, Values and Value Claims, discusses the four different types of value claims (personal, market, real, and implicit) and their relationships. The second section considers the process of rational evaluation as a method of arriving at and supporting value…

The thesis of this paper is that teacher education is not adequate in terms of producing well rounded and dedicated speech teacher educators who can develop and maintain meaningful secondary speech programs. These programs are often not relevant to the needs of many students. The point is made that educators often transmit to students values which…

The role of the federal government in civic/citizenship education is discussed in this paper. A breakdown has occurred in former socializing institutions, such as the family and church, which have ceased to influence civic education. There is a need to reconceptualize the socialization process. Four factors that impede the socialization of…

The importance of teaching moral education in the public schools is emphasized in this report. Three topics are discussed. The first section includes a sketch of the present moral climate of the United States, including evidence drawn from a recent Gallup Poll of public attitudes toward education, recent magazine articles, results of educational…

States that the Founders' legacy is our well-modeled government which is limited by law to protect the life, liberty, and property of individuals. Reviews some of the Founding Fathers' thoughts regarding the proper role and structure of our government. Advocates improved citizenship education and introduces the theme articles in this issue. (JDH)

Discusses factors influencing development of political attitudes of Hausa primary and secondary students in Kano State, Nigeria. Describes influences from traditional socialization agencies and schools in terms of attitudes toward citizenship, authority, and political participation. Finds schooling's emphasis on bureaucracy contributes equally to…