School and government officials, system administrators and other policymakers offer a variety of reasons for engaging in high stakes testing: to monitor student performance, to measure teacher and/or school effectiveness, to ensure accountability, etc. Some of these reasons are good; others not. But the best reason--one that is never offered,…

This essay discusses the achievements of early childhood educator, Vivian Gussin Paley, preschool and kindergarten teacher for more than 30 years, and author of 12 books portraying her work in the classroom with young children. It begins with a description of seven narrative tools she developed over the course of many years that became the means…

Arguing that globalization has been conceived of largely in economic terms this article examines the possibility of a global curriculum in the light of Touraine's assertion that the major global problem is not economic but social: can we live together? I argue that a global curriculum conceived in social terms is possible and that it will involve:…

Two articles in this instructional newsletter elucidate rulings by the United States Supreme Court, Circuit Court of Appeals, and District Courts affecting state sponsored school prayer: (1) "First Amendment Prayer Pendulum"; (2) "First Amendment. Rosenberger v University of Virginia." The newsletter provides the facts of the…

This paper explores the notion of schools as sites of democratic and political struggle, and as "sites of possibility." The need for building community within the schooling experience is discussed in the first section, as well as the need for moral discourse instead of the traditional, technical, and instrumental educational discourse.…

This handbook outlines the kindergarten course entitled "Myself and Others in My World." A statement of the California philosophy of history-social science education precedes the handbook's three sections. The first two sections present major goals of the program, an overview of social studies content for grades K-6, and a chart of areas…

This handbook outlines the grade 3 course entitled "People as Members of Communities." A statement of the California philosophy of history-social studies education precedes the handbook's three sections. The first two sections present major goals of the overall program, an overview of social studies content for grades K-6, and a chart of…

This handbook outlines the grade 5 course entitled "People of a Nation: The United States." A statement of the California philosophy of history-social studies education precedes the handbook's three sections. The first two sections present major goals of the overall program, an overview of social studies content for grades K-6, and a…

Focusing on skills and attitudes necessary for responsible action, the handbook describes responsibility education programs for students and suggests resources for promoting program development. Responsibility education is defined as a process which gives students enriched school-directed citizenship experiences. Responsibility education…

Organized labor's attitudes toward and involvement in public education in the United States from 1820 to the 1970s have been based on four fundamental propositions. The propositions are that labor believes: (1) education is one of the chief functions of a democracy and the only means of developing an enlightened citizenry, (2) all citizens are…

The report describes a project on union citizenship activity and presents recommendations from a labor education conference in Silver Spring, Maryland, November 9-10, 1977. Citizen education of union members involves training programs for workers undertaken either singly by unions or in concert with educational institutions. The report is…

This reader is designed to be used in a one-semester curriculum program which is linked to topics outlined in the American Issues Forum calendar. It is intended for use at the local level. The course seeks to develop new understandings of the problems and realities of contemporary America. Ways in which American values and assumptions about…

This book explores the causal relationships between education and democratic citizenship. This book is divided into 2 parts and features 11 chapters. Chapter 1, the introductory chapter, looks at "Education and Democratic Citizenship in America: Enlightened Political Engagement." Part 1, "Education and Citizenship in the United States, 1990,"…

These 24 papers explain how using the collaborative learning model can help teachers address classroom challenges. Section 1, "Toward Creativity and Collaborative Learning in the 21st Century," begins with "Toward Whole Schools: Building a Movement for Creativity and Collaborative Learning in the 21st Century" (J. Michael…

This selective bibliography of motion pictures on democracy has been prepared by the Office of Education to assist teachers, school administrators, and community leaders in choosing and using visual aids in the teaching of democracy. The motion pictures recommended in this bibliography portray the historical development of democracy and the…