In this article, the authors summarize important and promising research on what they call "authentic intellectual work." It is important because so often schoolwork, not only in social studies but across the curriculum, requires little in the way of deep conceptual learning that also connects to life beyond school, and it is promising because the…

Evaluates E. D. Hirsch, Jr.'s proposal for cultural literacy against four standards: clarity, rationale, feasibility, and opportunity cost. Identifying serious flaws in the proposal, Newmann states that the term "cultural literacy" is ambiguous, presents Hirsch's rationale and its shortcomings, argues that the proposal is not feasible,…

Implications of the radical perspective for social studies are examined. This perspective suggests that (1) emancipation should be the guiding social ideal; (2) social life should be understood in terms of such concepts as domination, autonomy, contradiction, and the social construction of knowledge; and (3) teaching should emphasize the…

Identifies diversity of teachers' instructional priorities, student disengagement (boredom), and mediocre teaching as three problem-areas of social studies instruction. Overcoming these problems requires that teachers place depth above coverage, that the school culture be changed to enhance student engagement, and that efforts be made to promote…

Six reports suggesting changes in social studies education are synthesized: (1) The Paideia Proposal, by Adler; (2) High School, by Boyer; (3) A Place Called School, by Goodlad; (4) Horace's Compromise, by Sizer; (5) A Nation at Risk; and (6) Academic Preparation for College by the College Board. (GDC)

Argues for a new approach to empirical work which focuses on classroom thoughtfulness. Proposes a conception of higher-order thinking that synthesizes theoretical literature with the views of practitioners. Offers a conceptual basis for empirical study of classrooms, teachers, students, and institutional leaders. (GG)

Reports a research project with the goal of learning about the barriers to promoting higher-order thinking in high school social studies. Compares social studies departments that are successful at promoting higher-order thinking with less successful departments. Describes the technical aspects in the development and use of the 17 observational…

Reconceptualizes the definition of citizenship from the concept of persons acting in rational self-interest to that of the citizen who acts in the interest of the public good. Argues that reflective citizen participation must be engendered through a new curricular framework. Delineates five areas that must be considered in this curricular…

Offers information useful to educators interested in implementing community-service programs. Provides estimates of students' participation in community service in U. S. high schools; describes the nature of the programs and students' experiences; and reports data which illustrate that the potential for influencing civic responsibility may not yet…

Provides a model National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) essay examination that teachers may use to evaluate higher-order thinking among social studies high school students. Presents a constitutional issue for students to argue positions. Reports examination results from 51 classrooms. Includes essay examples and scoring rationale.…