Identifies and analyzes characteristics which are frequently mentioned as contributing to effective schools. Among the characteristics are that they improve the effectiveness and efficiency of students' work by organizing material and/or instruction, increase the amount of work students perform per unit of time, reduce distractions, and encourage…

This essay explores perspectives on teaching and learning by considering how a particular reform program (Individually Guided Education) is influenced by the social conditions in which it is realized. Individually Guided Education (IGE) is an approach to elementary school reform based on mastery-learning techniques. (DB)

A typology of the terms used in school system planning and evaluation is intended to eliminate inconsistent terminology. (MLF)

Discusses development education as an educational process aimed at preparing people for participation in change and examines the implications for disarmament education. Development education is interpreted to include adult literacy education as well as a system of spreading basic concepts and encouraging and developing local initiatives. (DB)

Discusses a survey undertaken to determine the background and characteristics of social studies classroom teachers in the United States. The sample consisted of 1,200 social studies teachers in six states. Results are presented in the four following articles in this issue of "Social Education." (See SO 509 153 through SO 509 156.) (DB)

This article presents results regarding political participation from a survey of the background and characteristics of 1,200 social studies classroom teachers in six states. Findings indicated that 98 percent of social studies teachers voted frequently or occasionally. Information is also presented on political contributions, attendance at public…

Traces developments in American education from its inception in colonial days when the public schools were intended to be "above politics, free of contamination produced by political controversy, disagreement, and discord." Discusses the current state of education, with stress on the loss of consensus. Journal available from American Academy of…

Criticizes the view held by an increasing number of contemporary philosophers of education that the main focus of educational philosophy should be practical, rather than theoretical. Suggests that the primary aim of philosophers of education should be to contribute to the philosophical understanding of education, not to solving its day-to-day…

The findings of a national study of student attitudes toward their school counseling programs are presented. (Author/MLF)

In response to the perceived uneasiness about the state of citizenship education in public schools, the article focuses on various studies and reports on political illiteracy, examines the isolation of most social studies programs from the community, views the role of students in the community, and recommends that students be more actively…

Describes and evaluates the use of the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) to teach an introductory public policy course on the college level. Also discusses student performance and evaluations. (Author/DB)

Offers observations regarding the current condition of sociology teaching at the college level (undergraduate). Suggests ways in which institutions can enhance the quality of undergraduate teaching and reviews some probable reactions to such efforts. (Author/DB)

Focuses on higher education in socialist societies including USSR, Hungary, Romania, East Germany, and Poland. Topics discussed include the need for improvement in higher education, access to higher education institutions, political influences, general characteristics of educational systems, and the need for qualified personnel. (Author/DB)

The article discusses a study undertaken to evaluate the impact of selected innovative social studies curriculum project materials with regard to three variables--extent of classroom use, user liking, and effectiveness in promoting learning compared to traditional programs. Findings indicated that recent social studies materials have had a…

Describes an approach to research into teaching and learning in higher education which has been experimented with at Manchester Polytechnic in Manchester, England. The approach centers around helping teachers to develop their own teaching tools instead of offering them ready-made teaching tools. (Author/DB)