Argues that certain "ancient" writing practices can help attain the objective of making writing instruction truly democratic. Outlines key features in the discredited "old history" of composition to adduce ways of helping students think, feel, and write in heterogeneous ways. (HB)

Questions whether the discourse of community tends to deny full participation to people who differ from the consensual values of the majority. Argues that participation in an ethical discourse community must be guided by an ethics that directs people to value their differences. Reviews critiques of community. Presents an alternative discourse. (HB)

Critics of outcomes-based education and proponents of vouchers, school choice, creationism, and tax limitation measures often seem to be advocating publicly funded private education. School leaders attempting to implement OBE or other improvement programs should describe programs properly, involve the community, develop and implement a…

Ella Flagg Young was the first woman superintendent of a large-city school system (Chicago, 1909-15) and the first woman president of the National Education Association (1910). A colleague of Dewey, Young pioneered democratic administrative practices in a scientific management era and organized school councils to give teachers a greater voice in…

Language tests reflect the complexities and power struggles of society. Critical language testing recognizes this aspect of language testing and broadens the field by engaging it in the sphere of social dialog. Studying, protecting, and guarding language tests is part of the process of providing quality learning and preserving democratic cultures,…

Describes the LegiSchool Project in California which cultivates democratic citizenship and competence in decision making by involving students in the state legislative process. Notes the success of this project with all students, including students at risk. Discusses three necessary conditions for that success: fostering student interest,…

Outlines a model process of developing knowledge from within different groups and cultures to allow more equitable participation of all world societies in the definition of global governance. Reviews concepts relevant to education's contributions toward learning and creating democratic global governance. Discusses the educational utility of…

Composer and classical/jazz musician Wynton Marsalis believes that jazz (of all art forms) requires the most democratic skills-such as manners and ability to negotiate with others. Jazz at Lincoln Center is launching a jazz curriculum in fall 2001 that will help kids realize who they are and how to act. (MLH)

Introduces the five essays appearing in Studies in Philosophy and Education (May 2000) that discuss the role of respect in creating democratic citizens and moral persons. These essays are centered on the thematic problem: how are the values of democracy, education, and the moral life linked to each other and how can we better understand what these…

Explores the implications of literacy instruction aimed at "nourishing conversations" about life experiences in literacy classrooms. Emphasizes the sense that students made of their lives when they were allowed to raise their voices through literacy. Argues that curriculum in which adolescents are encouraged to investigate their life…

Argues that the responses to the Oakland, California ebonics resolution miss what made the resolution so significant while also making debate about it so intractable. Proposes that compositionists who acknowledge attitudes that made the resolution so significant can productively engage the larger public regarding literacy education in a racially…

As the new democratic republics of Eastern Europe experience sweeping transformations in their political, economic, and social institutions, their educational systems must also undergo changes to address the new roles and responsibilities of citizens. The purpose of this article is to explore the impact of these changes in two specific contexts,…

In the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the American government acted quickly to mobilize what it called "critical homeland defenders" to meet the threat faced by our nation and the world. Not surprisingly, 21 government agencies made the list, ranging from the State Department to the U.S. Border Patrol. That may be what…

Schools have long been recognized as key institutions affecting social cohesion. Schools foster or retard student tolerance, respect for diverse others, and sense of overarching common identity and values. They prepare citizens with the knowledge and skills needed to participate effectively in a democracy. Schools themselves are an object of…

Louise Rosenblatt's theory and vision for a democratic society come alive when students and teachers engage in authentic dialogue around literature. Her deep conviction is that literature and language arts can and should lay the foundation for and foster the development of a democratic society.