Describes a highly politicized controversy over banning books which caused much anxiety and anger in the school district in which the author worked. Discusses how it also generated reflection and conversation about how progressive public educators can best protect the rights of students, teachers, and parents. (SR)

Uses the case of a 1988 children's book called "Abigail at the Beach" to discuss censorship (both visible and invisible) of children's books in Britain. Discusses issues of power, economics and politics, and the status of the Children's Book in a world that is suspicious of it and unsympathetic to it. (SR)

Argues that Slavoj Zizek's writings show why the turn to theory could actually hurt the field of composition by increasing the discipline's level of ideological misrecognition concerning the economics and politics of higher education. Argues that educators should stop using theory as a virtual way of escaping their own real practices. (SG)

Examines how the presence of multiple racial/ethnic groups complicates educational politics. Interviews with participants in education politics in four cities highlight a complex arena of problem definitions and assessment of reforms. The arena is so infused with issues of race/ethnicity that groups agreeing upon some elements of the education…

Asserts that there are multiple reasons why portrayals of an educator shortage crisis may be widely accepted in spite of questionable evidence. Explores reasons that may explain perceptions or misperceptions of the shortage, including political forces that may encourage or perpetuate beliefs about the problem. (EV)

Describes the role and function of the census and discusses census taking and decision making about "counting" from two perspectives: the Supreme Court decision in Wisconsin vs New York, and the Census Bureau's current plans for the year 2000. Concluding comments explore the lessons learned from the 1990 census and the effect on the 2000…

Examines the pros and cons of several family-oriented initiatives offered by President Clinton and Senator Bob Dole during their 1996 campaigns. These include tuition tax credits, volunteer tutoring programs, across-the-board tax breaks, and school voucher programs. (HTH)

Describes how some moderate Baptist colleges find themselves at odds with conservative Southern Baptist state organizations. (EV)

Describes how, as he seeks re-election, President Bush is considering issuing a scathing critique of higher education early next year, demanding greater accountability from colleges. He may use the renewal of the Higher Education Act to attack colleges for high costs and dropout rates. (EV)

Considers how the concept of "literacy," especially intensified by the current conservative political climate, has been falsely reified as a clearly distinct "thing" that can be taught and tested in simple and standardized ways. Identifies literacy competencies as "subrosa literacy" and describes detailed performances of these abilities (including…

Uses a political fragmentation index to calculate how political power affects educational spending in Virginia. Compares different political voices relative to each other, examines the role of power distribution, and considers political fragmentation across several dimensions. Along with traditional demand variables, interest group pressures…

Addresses the Singlish-standard English debate in terms of discourse resources and the politics of language planning in Singapore, especially for the Singlish speaker. Examines media reports, official statements, and letters to local newspapers and considers the implications of this debate for Singaporeans and their participation within society.…

Describes the coordinating structure developed by governments of 8 Commonwealth of Independent States countries and nongovernmental organizations for cooperation in knowledge dissemination and adult education. Explains the role of Znanie, an international adult education association, in this model. (SK)

Argues that reform advocates have not appreciated adequately the dynamics of professional socialization that predispose college students to resist public (or "civic") journalism. Proposes an instruction strategy based on a model of "civic-oriented autonomy" which promotes public journalism goals while preserving autonomy and…

Explores some queer and performative objections, challenges, and counterproposals to the identity-based pedagogies still dominating composition studies and closely related fields, bringing to the foreground pedagogies that take the instability of identity as a starting point and move toward even greater deconstruction. Proposes a tentative…