Despite the budget cuts and some consolidation of programs by the Reagan administration, basic programs are still intact. Congress has been, and remains, in charge of educational policy. (MLF)

Reviews the history of the two teachers' unions, presenting the differences and rivalry between the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers. Details their differing responses to the current "excellence" movement. (MD)

Discerns issues of the 1980 presidential primary campaigns through content analysis of issues presented in televised political spot advertisements created for nine presidential primary candidates. Results indicate Democrats were most concerned with the economy, energy, foreign policy, and national security, while Republicans focused on federalism…

Major inadequacies of "A Nation at Risk" include: the assumption of a monolithic American education system; the recommendation of a college preparatory curriculum for all students, which overlooks individual needs; a failure to address elementary education; underestimation of teachers; and the absence of practical suggestions for…

The only way to improve citizen participation in the political system is to renew the commitment to civic education. A successful civic education is one that educates its citizens in the basic principles and precepts of the American system and then keeps them informed. (MLW)

The upcoming reauthorization of the Vocational Education Act of 1963 offers an opportunity for changing the program. The author provides an update of legislative activities as well as discussion of important issues. (MD)

Educational research can indeed avoid being shaped by political or social ideologies; an objective reality is present in the fundamental processes of education and remains the valid object of educational research. (JW)

The fusion of politics and education, both necessary and dangerous, constitutes difficulty and honor for educators when providing equality of opportunity and training of responsible citizens. (ND)

The role of growth or nongrowth in futurology is addressed with members of the middle class categorized as senior salariat, middle mass, or underclass. Each category reflects different patterns of life within the working population. Social and political implications are discussed. (LBH)

Campus voter registration and education programs are powerful and proven tools for building voter participation. Young people who go to college are far more likely to vote than their peers who do not. U.S. Census Bureau data on the 2000 general election show that those with bachelor?s degrees were twice as likely to vote (75 percent) as were those…

"We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution," is an educational program developed by the Center for Civic Education. The program instructs students on the history and principles of American constitutional democracy with the primary goal of promoting civic competence and responsibility among the nation's elementary, middle, and…

Colorado law requires school districts to schedule 1080 hours per year of instructional time for secondary schools and 990 instructional hours for elementary schools. The 1080 hours equate to six hours per day for 180 days. The 990 hours equate to five and one-half hours per day. Up to 24 hours may be counted for parent-teacher conferences, staff…

In this short essay, Douglas J. Besharov argues that Congress should mandate an honest assessment of Head Start's strengths and weaknesses to enable the program to more effectively enhance early childhood education. He discusses evidence of Head Start's limited effectiveness and proposes that it begin operating based on research.

One of the significant issues in vocational education and training is student pathways and how students use them to achieve their personal goals. These "pathways" can be within or across sectors, as well as into and out of paid work. This study focuses on the pathways--to and fro--between vocational education and training (VET) and…