Neutrality is of questionable relevance in teaching social issues related to racial or sex discrimination. Because these essentially moral issues are relevant to everyone, a teacher should be committed to fundamental values of justice, fairness, and respect for others. Teaching methods include development of cognitive and affective qualities and…

Describes the work behind one successful popular science program which does not trivialize the image of science. Discusses areas including science and broadcasting, one of the longest running science and technology programs on television, the mass media and health, and media fellowships for scientists. (RT)

Describes a computer-based learning package designed to introduce students to concepts and controversies surrounding the social problem of poverty in the United States and to familiarize them with public policies concerning that problem. Use of the "Poverty Game" is discussed and information concerning cost and availability of software…

Presents dimensions of the drug issue through four lesson strategies for middle and secondary students. "Planning to Solve a School Drug Problem" focuses upon school responsibility. "Assessing Public Opinion: Views You Can Use" introduces surveys. "Conduct and Actions" simulates a drug possession case. "Case Study: Parents, Drugs, and Neglect"…

The educational community needs to ensure that children have developed learning strategies before they are expected to develop subject or task proficiency. The low achievement of poor children is due to their lack of preparation. The stratification of American society is the major problem with education. (BJV)

Describes the dramatization of Katherine Anne Porter's story,"The Fig Tree's Lessons." Discusses the process by which this story was made accessible to an audience of 8- to 12-year-old children. Notes that this program attempts to avoid the simplification of the profound human experience of dealing with death. (KO)

Reports on the Third International Social Studies Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1994. Focuses on the need for an international thrust on environmental education. Discusses efforts by seven African nations to develop a common basic social studies text on curriculum and methods. (CFR)

Adults need to acknowledge the nature of this world more frequently in their discussions of youth violence. The media's focus on retribution and punishment reflects the popular anger over "bad" kids. Seeds of evil have sprung from an unkempt societal garden where widespread child poverty, disintegrating home environments, child abuse, a…

Asserts that gaming on Indian reservations is the most important development in Indian affairs during the past two decades. Discusses political and social issues related to reservation gambling. Concludes that it has improved employment opportunities, boosted morale, and upgraded living standards of many Indian communities. (CFR)

In addition to scientific and research questions about the causes of and solutions to school violence, there are political questions about the fact that disciplinary measures to control school violence are more frequently taken against blacks than against whites. Political reality colors the congressional response to public concern about violence.…

Reports on a study of how naive theories, age, and education relate to higher order thinking among 54 adolescents and adults. Finds that, regardless of age and education, all subjects referred to naive theories to identify causes and create remedial strategies for social problems. (CFR)

Asserts that teachers and students are ready to go beyond traditional coverage of the interactions of political science and history to applying economic analysis to historical and contemporary social issues. Provides three lesson plans illustrating the use of public choice theory in U.S. history. (CFR)

Much of the thinking about social differences in South Africa is ensconced in a racial equality framework that presupposes the existence of stable and homogeneous racial entities. Policies of social redress may actually obscure educational equity by conceptualizing race as separate from the gender and class issues that are also part of social…

Examined how children of different cultural backgrounds weigh competing considerations when presented with conflicts between two concerns: Justice-Authority; Justice-Interpersonal; Personal-Interpersonal; Personal-Authority. For each concern, subjects selected the course of action to be followed and weighed alternatives. Found differences between…

Contends that teenagers are exposed to and participate in violence at an ever-increasing rate. Presents a secondary lesson on teen violence and teen victims. Includes objectives, step-by-step instructional procedures, and three student readings. (CFR)