Presents part of the Aspen High School curriculum about the United States civil rights movement. Focuses on why Blacks were segregated and disenfranchised prior to the movement, why the movement took place, what were the results of the movement, and what is the present condition of Blacks in American society. (JDH)

Reviews school curriculum treatment of the Constitution noting inadequacies of early instructional methods and textbooks and a dramatic decline of education about the Constitution which began during the progressive education era. Presents the results of surveys which indicate a lack of constitutional knowledge among our youth. Concludes with a…

Examines the life of James Madison, Founding Father and "theoretic statesman." Focuses specifically on Madison's education and character, his friendship with Thomas Jefferson, and his civic legacy: a selfless devotion to republican government and union. (JDH)

Provides a brief biography of D. W. Griffith, the producer of "Birth of a Nation." Includes a synthesis of reviews of this classic film and suggestions for using the recently released, inexpensive videotaped version in the secondary social studies classroom. (JDH)

Using generalizations based on pre-U.S. Civil War era history to interpret U.S. social history, this paper presents: (1) the effects of various social institutions in history on civic values; (2) the current role of U.S. colleges and universities as social institutions; and (3) curriculum development suggestions for the preparation of civic…

Presents an overview of Turner's thesis that the migration westward produced a unique democratic tradition and a distinctive American character. Discusses Richard Hofstadter's and Ray Allen Bellington's reactions to this thesis. Notes the concepts of Bellington in support of Turner' thesis and those concepts of Hofstadter that oppose Turner's…

Recalls highlights on student days in a one-room country school. Describes school maintenance routines, individualized instruction, school programs, and holiday celebrations. Concludes that alumni of one-room schools are proud of their heritage and feel that the education they received reflects the nation's finest values. (JHZ)

States that the Founders' legacy is our well-modeled government which is limited by law to protect the life, liberty, and property of individuals. Reviews some of the Founding Fathers' thoughts regarding the proper role and structure of our government. Advocates improved citizenship education and introduces the theme articles in this issue. (JDH)

Discusses ways in which the conflicts of capital and labor in later nineteenth-century U.S. influences the philosophy of education of J. Dewey. Dewey never lost his concern with social problems and advancing the cause of workplace democracy. He wanted his school community to prefigure a reconstructed industrial society. (SLD)

In the spring of 1907, Homer Lane began his work with institutionalized problem boys when he became superintendent of the Boy's Home and d'Arcambal Association in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The program Lane developed at the school was geared toward building the boys' self-respect and self-reliance and toward giving them an opportunity to practice…