This report 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 the civic knowledge of 14-year-old students across 28 countries. This report concentrates on the attitudes, actions, and conceptual views of U.S. students,…

Beginning with a brief history of homeschooling in America, this paper discusses literature describing today's population of homeschoolers. Although older, the binary typology offered by Van Galen (1987, 1991) to categorize the motivations of homeschoolers is still utilized in much of the homeschooling literature. Van Galen breaks homeschoolers…

This collection of papers focuses on teachers' personal and professional development, showing what teachers' learning, hopes, desires, struggles, and instruction look and feel like from inside the lives of effective teachers and in their classrooms. Topics include the types of resources and experiences effective teachers use, how these resources…

Argues that political equality and democracy are attainable only through the distribution of access to political resources and the willingness to use them. Discusses the broad philosophical and sociological components that contribute to a system marked by advantage and inequalities, as well as opportunities for opposition and resistance. (MJP)

Traces the convoluted alliances and diplomatic blundering that resulted in World War I. Places a large degree of the blame on Kaiser Wilhelm II who almost singlehandedly dismantled or ruptured the alliances and treaties of imperial chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Includes photos, paintings, and diary entries. (MJP)

Profiles the post-war efforts of Anna Haag, a German author and journalist. After visiting the Women's Service Bureau through a tour organized by the American League of Women Voters, Haag was inspired to establish the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Stutgarter Frauen. This organization engaged in social work and citizenship training for women. (MJP)

Reviews the main issues and candidates involved in the recent Russian national elections. Although the transition to a market economy has been painful, most Russians still back Boris Yeltsin over Communist party candidate, Gennady Zyuganov. Maintains that grass-roots capitalism and democratic reforms still enjoy popular support. (MJP)

Reports on the development of a comprehensive education program "Step by Step: A Program for Children and Families" in Eastern and Central Europe and the former Soviet Union. Designed for young children from birth to age eight and their families, this program attempts to share U.S. teaching methods that promote democratic principles…

Discusses child welfare within the context of social contract theory, developed by Hume, Locke, and Rousseau, and covenant theory, namely, the insistence upon the intergenerational and communal bases of life chances. The two theories are compared and contrasted, and eight regulative principles of political covenant are proposed to benefit the…

An experiment in English-as-a-Second-Language pedagogy in a South African university's teacher education program looked at the effects of students' participation in construction of the course syllabus. Results are discussed from three perspectives: learning theory; the culture of learning; and cognitive style. The metaphor of mental…

Discusses the constitutional protection of individual rights, particularly how they relate to the conduct of law enforcement. Summarizes a number of Supreme Court decisions and the legal precedents they established. Considers the various jurisdictions and duties of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. (MJP)

Underscores the importance of history and geography as the content base for K-12 citizenship education. Points out that changing global economic relationships demand adequate geography knowledge levels. Argues that uninspired teaching, rather than time shortages, have produced insufficient content knowledge and performance. Urges social studies…

Describes examples drawn mostly from urban areas that required the building of coalitions between schools and communities to create a new, more democratic context for curriculum development. Cited are the nationwide Vocational Education Project, the Southern Coalition for Educational Equity, and the "Rethinking Schools" progressive newsletter in…

Argues that law-related education should move beyond teaching the mechanics and issues of government and include those concepts of civic virtue incorporated within democracy. Notes that students need philosophical and moral content as well as experiential learning. (MJP)

Contends that open societies that lack official ideologies may find it difficult to determine educational objectives. Maintains that new trends in educational policy formation include deinstitutionalization of the educational system, efficiency expectations, multiculturalism, choice, and participation. (CFR)