A seventh-grade teacher's get-acquainted exercise (involving desirable character traits) led to signing a class constitution that governed rules of conduct for both teachers and students. While involved in this democratic process, children gained practice in creating the kind of culture in which they wished to live. (MLH)

Argues that professional development for early childhood educators should address the challenge of diversity in order to produce an optimal child and truly realize a participatory democracy. Outlines four professional development opportunities that will help acknowledge diversity and create a realistic context from which teachers can teach. (SD)

In response to the thesis of Kenneth A. Strike, discusses the concept of local rationality, the nature of historic rationality, and educational issues that arise for public education in a liberal democracy. (SM)

Amidst two decades of social neglect, America's white majority has "gifted" inner cities with a new, improved, racially biased criminal justice system. Given the racial patterns firmly fixed in American criminal justice policy and practice, the majority feels justified in undoing welfare and institutionalizing a substantial percentage of…

Presents behavioral analyses of particular constructions of democracy and the ethic of care to determine whether care is a democratic virtue. Concludes that certain behavioral habits that partially contribute to a person's or a community's caring also partially contribute to that person's or community's democracy. (CMK)

Examines the role of the community college in American society. Details historical changes in the community college and their implications, particularly with regard to their impact on pedagogy. Offers the town hall meeting as an alternative teaching method that maintains the social element of education. Includes evaluation survey results and 41…

Evaluates the political attitudes of students at three West Virginia higher education institutions based on the effects of service learning. Indicates that students learn about and feel helpful towards their community and develop academic skills. (CMK)

Recent legal judgments have compelled the British government to redefine the meaning of free education. This paper examines how school governors formulated policies to charge for certain educational activities. The governing board's arbitrary decision-making practices depart significantly from the rational model espoused by the 1988 Education…

Examines how the timing of Virginia's Ratification Convention twisted the principles of presumption and burden of proof in favor of the Federalists. Applies Richard Whately's rhetorical constructs to actual debates to analyze rhetorical strategies and voting behavior. Argues the need to modify the meaning of presumption and burden of proof. (KEH)

Content and activities are described for an undergraduate social foundations course whose goals are examination of current purposes of public education, evaluation of these purposes in light of democratic principles, and exploration of realistic alternatives for school and teacher that take education for democracy seriously. (IAH)

A teacher discusses classroom management techniques, explaining that discipline tends to involve the teacher maintaining his/her position of authority rather than creating a democratic community and noting that threats and bribes buy short-term behavior change but do not help students develop a commitment to positive values. (SM)

Common misconception is that only heroic, authoritative people can alter normal flow of a school or district to ensure all students learn successfully. Research shows effective schools and districts are led by individuals believing learning in democracy must be inclusive. Leader's vision cannot endure unless he or she can create critical mass of…

Reviews a book that documents the rise of the English-only movement in the 1980s and examines historical and sociocultural factors shaping the movement, potential effects of an official language on constitutional rights of language minorities, anti-immigrant sentiments and America's obstinate monolingualism, and the ongoing battle for equal rights…

Analyzes the contemporary school restructuring movement, discussing democratic possibilities, the relationship between educational technology and school restructuring, critical questions about educational technology, the effect of new technology on teacher work, and the relationship of educational technology to school structures and economic…

Discusses attitudes toward history instruction from a survey of historians. Contends that historians who prize history seem less interested in dispensing knowledge than in imparting a historical perspective. Concludes that many historians are comfortable with the relatively low status of teaching because it provides autonomy. (CFR)