Is sociology a legitimate and worthwhile course of study at the secondary level? Sociology differs from other disciplines in its conceptual and abstract nature. Sociology is about organizations, systems, structures, processes, and relationships. It studies power, conflict, roles, and values. Grasping these abstractions is most difficult at the…

Efforts are currently underway to adjust the focus of industrial arts instruction to concentrate more on the study and understanding of technology and its role in our lives. For many years industrial arts programs have been industry-based; however, many professionals support a curriculum that will relate industrial arts instruction more closely to…

Curriculum theorists should develop three classes of propositions: (1) definitional propositions, which involve the curriculum design and curriculum system; (2) normative or descriptive propositions, which involve goals in planning the curriculum and designing an evaluation scheme; and (3) predictive propositions, which involve the correlative…

A model of curriculum and instruction that synthesizes several theories is presented. This curriculum and instruction model is placed within a broad epistemological-psychological framework that can help to guide theoreticians and practitioners in education. (CJ)

Research has shown that students respond more favorably to drug prevention programs when they see their culture and themselves represented in the prevention message. Describes development of the keepin' it R.E.A.L. curriculum, focusing on the methods used to ensure cultural grounding. Reviews literature on cultural approaches in prevention,…

A review of the undergraduate physical education curricula in Canadian universities revealed sparse offerings in the humanities when compared to the biophysical and social sciences. Recommendations are made to reorder the curriculum to provide better balance between the two areas. (Author/CB)

An understanding of different curriculum models and of the ideologies underlying these models provides an essential framework for decision-making during curriculum renewal. Skilbeck's Situational Curriculum Model (1984) is a particularly helpful and moderately systematic basis for the English-as-a-Second-Language curriculum planner. (Author/CB)

The American Educational Research Association's (AERA) Special Interest Group (SIG) on "Creation and Utilization of Curriculum Knowledge" was formed in 1971 by researchers whose work focused upon the advancement of knowledge in curriculum. The interest area for this SIG centered on generic knowledge about: (1) curriculum definitions; (2)…

This research report examines the need for consumer education programs for preschool children and describes preschool consumer education programs. A literature review of ERIC, CAIN (an agricultural index), Psychological Abstracts, Education Index, and the Canadian Education Index was conducted. Section one of the report provides an overview of…

This report compares similarities and differences in water pollution as it is presented in selected curriculum materials. The materials selected for analysis included materials from five projects in the United States, England, Israel, and West Germany. Each set of instructional materials is analyzed including the framework of the units, selection…

A framework, for investigation and criticism of the various forms of reconceptual work on curriculum theory, is proposed. This framework facilitates the identification and discussion of curriculum theory issues that need further conceptualization. Sections discuss historical critique, extended critique, alternative methods, and an evaluation of…

The relationship between syllabus content and language teaching methodology is critically examined, and it is argued that many proposals that purport to relate to syllabus design are relevant to methodology only and are actually unrealizable in terms of syllabus and content. (Author/CB)

This paper reports on the conclusions drawn from an investigation of the modern mathematics reform movement in Brazil. The main focus is the dissemination of reform ideology to the Brazilian mathematics education community and the outcomes resulting from misinterpretations of the intended curriculum during the implementation process. (Author/JJK)

Traces the rising importance of the static abstractions Coherence, Unity, and Emphasis as prescriptive tools in teaching composition from the mid-1800s to the 1920s. Suggests that these terms have since decreased in popularity as organizing principles for composition texts because they fail to show students how to write effectively. (MM)

Reviews the role of expressive arts in the Scottish curriculum from 1950 to the present, including changes in definitions of expressive arts (currently art and design, drama, music, and physical education); time allocated to them; teacher preparation; and the role of the specialist teacher. Discusses implications for the expressive arts in the new…