Public schooling fails by educating students to become dependent thinkers; by providing irrelevant curricula; and by weakening social institutions such as family, community, and religion. On the other hand, public libraries give students the freedom to choose what they want to read, encourage critical thinking, and be nonjudgmental of students.…

Asserts that multiculturalism is an inevitable feature of future curriculum development. Describes four approaches to multiculturalism: (1) attack multiculturalism; (2) escape multiculturalism; (3) transformative multiculturalism; and (4) repair multiculturalism. (CFR)

Examines three possible mechanisms for the effects of first-grade reading group placement. Finds that first-grade ability-group placement can have persistent effects on children's achievement in school for several years and may shape expectations of the children by parents and teachers. (CFR)

Curriculum beliefs and practices were surveyed with 341 Colorado elementary and secondary special education teachers. Findings include: training in curriculum development occurs mostly on the job; teachers want training in teaching compensatory and life skills; teachers believe that individualized education plans constitute the curriculum for…

Discusses the issues of best practice, guidance of young children, teacher supervision, power, and rewards in the context of developmentally appropriate practice. Examines a true story about a conflict-laden school situation as an opportunity to explore the dynamics of perspective taking, roles and relationships, turbulent and uncertain…

Directors of gifted and talented programs in 38 states responded to a Gifted Practices Survey. The survey addressed identification, evaluation methods, definitions, role of the regular classroom teacher, certification programs, and the history of providing services and special funding. Findings suggest that states appear to be engaging in expected…

Describes the work of the Division of Innovation and Development of the Office of Special Education Programs of the U.S. Department of Education. The following are four areas of program concentration: (1) professional practice issues; (2) education of individuals with disabilities; (3) educational technology; and (4) emotionally disturbed…

Compares traditional education with national schooling in the Solomon Islands, concentrating on the nature, meaning, and transmission of knowledge and impact of the Western model of schooling on social change. Historical sources, government reports, interviews, and observations of the Kwara'ae, the largest cultural group in the islands, are…

Provides an overview of the issues shaping efforts to reform elementary education in the People's Republic of China. China's school organization and practices invite comparison with aspects of the U.S. system of elementary education. Enduring features of Chinese elementary education are discussed. (Author/BB)

The attitudes of 16 exemplary African-American teachers (12 females and 4 males) on racial issues and the ways in which racism has shaped their teaching practice are explored. It is argued that these teachers understand the structural constraints of race better than they understand those of gender or class. (SLD)

Problems of fit among five streams of educational reform and prevailing configurations of teachers' professional development are identified. It is argued that the dominant training-and-coaching model is not adequate for the requirements of present reform initiatives. Criteria are presented for assessing professional development policies and…

Explores teaching African-American history as a form of African-American cultural empowerment, laying out arguments supporting this position and an alternative view. A case study of a school system shows how empowerment aspects of African-American history compete against other aspects of classroom practice as it examines how empowering…

Reprinted from the April 1966 "Journal of Geography," questions what geography could contribute to general education. Observed that new federal programs allow geography to demonstrate the potential contributions of the field. Presented a fundamental perspective for geography instruction that urged a world system theme for curriculum organization.…

Resource room teachers (n=878) indicated their extent of use of 19 strategies associated with promoting the success of mainstreamed handicapped students and indicated barriers to effective service delivery. Teachers attached a high degree of importance to use of the strategies, but reported only moderate use. (Author/JDD)

Educators are challenged to move beyond tolerance as a goal in the conceptualization and practice of multicultural education. Tolerance is actually only a low level of support. It should be surpassed by acceptance, respect, and finally, affirmation, solidarity, and critique. Some examples illustrate these steps. (SLD)