This paper defines active citizenship as a fundamental aim of democratic society that enables all citizens to participate as fully as possible in cultural, economic, political, and social life. Adult education is recommended as a forum for promoting active citizenship and, since participatory democracy is learned through practice, should be an…

This study examined the perceptions of discipline held by practicing middle school and high school teachers, student teachers, and undergraduate education majors enrolled in a classroom management course. The study compared respondents' perceptions according to status, gender, years of experience, degree, and subject. Results showed significant…

This book includes eight chapters that explore the history and current status of educational "deficit thinking" and its effects on educational policies and practices. Educational deficit thinking is a form of blaming the victim that views the alleged deficiencies of poor and minority group students and their families as predominantly…

Thirteen authors reflect on different ideas of communitarianism and citizenship and on the ways those ideas find application in the fields of education, politics, and social welfare. Looking beyond communitarian ideology, the volume offers a more detailed discussion of citizenship in contemporary society. The essays are: (1) "Beyond…

This monograph reports on a study which examined how 92 colleges participating in a multiproject initiative, "American Commitments: Diversity, Democracy and Liberal Learning," are addressing issues of diversity in their general education curricula, policies, and practices. Chapter 1 focuses on emerging trends and promising practices, and…

This brochure presents highlights from "What Democracy Means to Ninth-Graders: U.S. Results from the International IEA Civic Education Study," a report that analyzes the U.S. results of the 1999 International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) Civic Education Study, Phase 2. The study was designed to assess…

Most educational reform initiatives of the past 20 years are geared towards ensuring that the United States dominates the emerging global economy. What is lost in this rush to the top of the materialist heap is an education for the more enduring human values: creativity, intellectual development, care, social justice, and democracy. In this book,…

This collection of papers examines the role, meaning, content, and quality of education, focusing on how opinions about learning and teaching, school development, and institutionalized education manifest themselves in modern western societies. There are 15 papers in five parts. Part 1, "Learning, Learning Environments and Imagination,"…

When homeschooling parents discuss public schools, they often draw on their own notions of citizenship, and each parent's view of public schools is also likely influenced by his or her larger view of government's proper role in society. This article reports on a 3-year study designed to seek a better understanding of these issues. The study…

This publication contains an overview of the school-organizational partnership programs created in Germany to fill the role of promoting the development and socialization of students beyond the measurable degree of school performance. The following five general articles are included: "Schools and Youth Welfare"; "Common Features and…

Provides an overview of the philosophical approaches to the relationship between work and education and how these two concepts function best in a democracy. Recommends a return to the philosophy of John Dewey, who advocated a symbiosis of education and work resulting in a life of meaningful activity. (MJP)

Criticizes the assumption that citizenship education is the defining mission of social studies. Cogently analyzes the defects of this argument, including a lack of related scholarship, inconsistent application from the schools, and little evidence of positive benefits. Proposes a curriculumwide integration of citizenship education. (MJP)

Offers four themes in the scaffolding of a critical education that advance grassroots activism in learning communities of praxis (scale, ownership, connection, and enterprise). Presents an example of a youth development project that affirms democracy via shared decision making, group motivation, self-esteem, and agenda setting opportunities…

This article explores the issue of ethical impact of conversation in the classroom, arguing that the experience of critical inquiry conducted through classroom dialog can cultivate precisely those ethical characteristics required of participants in the public life of a deliberative democracy. (SM)

Places the recent democratic Latvian elections in the context of that country's historic oppression by the Soviet Union, its resulting demographic character, and the emergence of pragmatic political parties. Analyzes the issues, parties, and coalitions that resulted in Grantis Ulmanis' recent victories. Prospects for continuing democracy appear…