Contains comments of Neil Postman about his new book, the influence of television on education, ways of restructuring the learning program, what schools should not be doing, and the real role of teachers. (FL)

Identifies dimensions relevant to grouping intellectual disciplines and identifies problems with establishing interdisciplinary criteria. Major difficulties include arriving at an appropriate level of description which neither describes a topic too generally nor too specifically and determining whether the comparable features of two disciplines…

The article describes a report stemming from the development and application of a Suicide Opinion Questionnaire (SOQ)--a 100 item attitudinal and factual instrument designed to cover a wide range of suicidal concerns. Subjects of the study were 17 college students drawn at random from 89 students enrolled in an abnormal psychology course. Results…

Two articles focus on the development of individualized education programs (IEPs) as mandated by P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act). (SBH)

Illustrates the need for revising elementary level social studies curricula along the lines of topics (areas) of interest to a child--home, school, community, nation, and planet. To help teachers develop curricula to meet particular student and class needs, the article suggests that an activity/content chart be kept reflecting content analysis,…

Cautions that there is too much wishful thinking and fanciful rhetoric in citizenship education in the United States today and too little room for objectives that are feasible and acceptable to students. Suggests that citizenship education should include a study of the following principles--rational ignorance, rational voting, representative…

Urges that younger students can and will learn about the law if a simplified but credible version of the law is presented to them. An appropriate version of the law would emphasize principles of conduct which are socially acceptable and constructive. Activities are suggested, including field trips, learning centers, and learning activity packets.…

Suggests that elementary school social studies is the subject that students like the least; is viewed as a subject one knows, not does; the future-oriented applicability of social studies is meaningless to children; and experience enables students to bring meaning to their studies. (KC)

Critiques Neil Postman's book, "Teaching as a Conserving Activity," which focuses on television's transformation of the information environment and the implications of this development for educational policy and practice. Points out some serious flaws in Postman's argument. (JMF)

Reviews the process of needs assessment and examines some of its important assumptions, makes recommendations for a model cross-validated needs assessment, and suggests some areas for future research. (Author/IRT)

Adolescents are taught, through the students' confrontation with the meaning of the Holocaust, specific values that will prepare them for their initiation into a democratic society. The content and methodology of this program are delineated, and the relationship between the program's pedagogical strategy and realization of its goal is discussed.…

Surveys French teaching in commercial schools, discussing teaching goals and assumptions regarding the learners. In French teaching at the advanced level, particular importance is accorded to oral communication in the field of sales transactions. A teaching unit in this area is included. (IFS/WGA)

Since the new form of the People's University Certificate English 1 does not include dictation, course directors and specialists in foreign language teaching query whether dictation still has a place in teaching English as a foreign language, and what its pedagogical function might be. (IFS/WGA)

Describes development of a before-and-after-school extended day program for a magnet school. (RH)

The concept of metaneutrality in teacher education implies that teacher trainers qua teacher trainers should remain neutral about educational aims with regard to the students being taught in the schools. The desirability and possibility of this position are discussed. (JMF)