Describes the development and implementation of a Buchanan-type microeconomics course for first-year students in a Master of Business Administration program. The course is based on the recommendation of economist James Buchanan that economics should once again place its teaching emphasis on the various institutional arrangements that arise as a…

Presents views by the following educators on social studies education in elementary schools: Harold Howe II (former vice-president for education and public policy, The Ford Foundation); Barbara Jordan (professor, University of Texas); James A. Perkins (chairperson, International Council for Educational Development); and Arthur W. Foshay (teacher…

Reflects on criticisms most frequently leveled at public schools in America, including that they don't encourage gifted students, generally gear classes toward below average students, and neglect cultural continuity. Suggests that builders of new proschool coalitions must be more than politicians responding to majority pressures. For journal…

Elaborates some of the advantages and disadvantages for public audiences of the current trend towards teacher-controlled, continuous assessment of students and proposes some methods for overcoming the disadvantages. (HOD)

Research reveals three reasons for the failure of the Sociological Resources for Social Studies Committee. The reform was artificially stimulated by the availability of federal dollars, was a university based alliance which lacked significant teacher involvement, and was too narrow in scientific orientation, neglecting the traditional citizenship…

Discusses educational research on school differences and points out features which often negatively influence research results, including failure to control for home background of students, use of inappropriate modes of statistical analysis, and failure to correctly interpret research findings. (Author/DB)

Reviews literature related to potential sources of the principal's influence on curriculum decisions of teachers. Topics discussed include expectations of the principal's curricular influence, the reality of such influence, sources of influence, and mechanisms that can be used by principals to increase their curricular influence. (DB)

There is sufficient evidence from impact studies throughout the field to conclude that continuing education can have an impact on evaluation. The challenge is to increase the proportion of programs that do so and to develop more efficient procedures to assess impact. (CT)

Text of a speech made by Francis Keppel after receiving the James Bryant Conant Award at the Education Commission of the States (ECS) annual meeting. (MLF)

Reviews literature syllabuses recommended by eight examining boards in England for in-depth study by high school students. Findings indicated that syllabuses are conservative in nature, do not include much modern literature, and generally include fiction which either portrays women as unimportant or does not portray women at all. (DB)

Describes how psychology teachers on the college level can help students connect course-related concepts to personal experiences by directing students to keep a journal. Advantages of a journal include that it allows teachers to monitor student development and helps students incorporate writing as a part of their daily learning experience.…

Comments on literacy data gathered from several surveys and questions whether students are developing sufficient literacy skills. (AEA)

Results of the second mathematics assessment show that students are alarmingly weak in problem-solving ability. (Author)

Evaluation as a process of obtaining and providing useful information for making educational decisions is discussed with reference to the concepts expressed in "The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation." The need for the evaluator to know the approaches, interests, and values of the decision maker is discussed. (CTM)

The Judicial Evaluation Model (JEM) is presented as a necessary supplement to the technique developed in "The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation" because persuasion only serves the side that wins, whereas JEM serves to keep inquiry reasonable and impartial and to enhance credibility. (CTM)