Presents the first of two articles examining Alfred North Whitehead's notion of the rhythm of the university, discussing the rhythm of teaching and learning, the importance of academic freedom to an imaginative faculty, and the relationship between Whitehead's own pedagogy and his considerable administrative practice. The paper's purpose is to…

Argues that school policies of "zero tolerance" of threatening speech may violate a student's First Amendment right to freedom of expression if speech is less than a "true threat." Suggests a two-step analysis to determine if student speech is a "true threat." (PKP)

Since its founding more than 200 years ago, America has stood for the promise, if not always the practice, of freedom. On its best days, America is a nation committed to the revolutionary proposition that more freedom, not less, is the key to a vibrant, equitable, and secure democracy. However, the results of a recent national study, "The…

Americans are rightly concerned that schools are not providing students with the knowledge and habits necessary to be good citizens. With the notable exception of volunteer activity, every form of civic engagement among the young has declined. As a response, increasing attention is being paid to civic education in the schools. But strangely, at a…

For multitudes of children Harry Potter is a hero. He fights evil and stands up for his friends. However, not all adults agree. Instead, he is perceived as a threat by many. This article discusses how some adults on a school board reacted to this perceived threat. The majority of a school board voted to restrict access to Harry Potter books in the…

Alexis de Tocquevile (1969: 506) predicted that Americans would be prone to isolation and increasing individualism, 'which disposes each citizen to isolate himself from the mass of his fellows and withdraw into the circle of family and friends; with this little society formed to his taste; he gladly leaves the greater society to look after…

Online instruction has grown about as much as it possibly can within current educational structures. Educators are at the point where something has to give: Either schools will stay the same and leave online efforts at a standstill, or educators' concept of school will change and allow online instruction to grow. The primary obstacle to growth is…

When dealing with First Amendment free speech issues in the context of public libraries, courts have merely cited the supposition that constitutional public forum analysis leads to the conclusion that the public library is a limited public forum for the purposes of First Amendment analysis. By focusing narrowly on the issue of whether Internet…

This article discusses the Canadian Civil Liberties Education Trust (CCLET). For many years, the CCLET has been in the business of working with teachers, teacher-candidates, students in grade two through university, and even with those in law schools, to engage them in making choices about controversial issues. CCLET proposes a structural approach…

The question of European trade unions' approach towards vocational training is an interesting example of a broader issue, involving both the role played by non-governmental actors in shaping the social dimension of the integration process, and the need to develop a social dialogue in the Community. In this context, the establishment of Cedefop in…

The author, as the incoming president of American Association of School Administrators (AASA) contemplated the enormous leadership challenges before him, devoted considerable time and thought to what he would propose as his agenda for his term. After reflecting with pride on the association's past efforts to be the "voice in the dark" proclaiming…

Over the past few decades, the increase in contingent appointments--part- and full-time positions off the tenure track--has been dramatic. As of 2001, the most recent year for which U.S. Department of Education data are available, 44.5 percent of faculty appointments were part time. According to "Assessing the Silent Revolution: How Changing…

I comment on the strengths and limitations of Haskell's article and provide a critical review of his arguments about the negative impact of SEF on tenure and other administrative decisions. I object to the limited evidence supporting the claim that the use of student evaluations per se challenges academic freedom. (Contains 2 footnotes.)

Some action research today lacks a critical edge. This article identifies five inadequate forms of action research, and argues that action research must be capable of "telling unwelcome truths" against schooling in the interests of education. It reasserts a connection between education and emancipatory ideals that allow educators to address…

In 1957, the year the National Education Association (NEA) celebrated its 100th anniversary, the Educational Policies Commission (EPC)--a prestigious group co-sponsored by NEA and the American Association of School Administrators--published a document titled "Higher Education in a Decade of Decision." NEA intended the report to address…