By tracing major ideas in the evolution of educational history between 1899 and 1985, the document takes readers from the traditional emphasis on citizenship training in social education to the current focus on teaching about the world community and the interdependence of its people and systems--cultural, ecological, economic, linguistic, racial, social, and technological. Beginning with the ideas of John Dewey, the evolution of formal education and the gradual inclusion of geography, cultural studies, and international education in social education are discussed. Effects on American education of the "Red Scare" in the 1920's, threats of fascism and nazism in the 1930's, and increasing global conflict in the 1940's are treated as part of the total picture leading to the current push for global perspectives in education. In conclusion emphasis is placed on the importance of taking the classroom (students) out into the real world--the global community. Appendices containing biographic information about the author, information on Global Horizons' Humans and Environment Learning Program (HELP), excerpts from a global education curriculum guide series, and a list of documents available from ERIC conclude the paper. (LH)