Within socio-economic transformation processes, the task of education is often reduced to short-term economic factors, that is, a suitable qualification profile of the local population. Transformative education should, however, be based on the broader claim that education contributes to successful transformation processes in the sense of…

The ambitious project to nationalise the Australian Curriculum has prompted great interest among policymakers, academics and civics teachers in Australian schools. The government-led citizenship education initiative "Discovering Democracy" (1997-2007) comprehensively failed to meet its objectives, most prominently the stated goal of…

Civic and citizenship education is a component of the school curriculum in all nation states. The form it takes, its purposes and the way in which it is implemented differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The pressures of globalization in recent times have meant that citizenship has increasingly come to be seen in global terms brought about by…

Discusses the project, "First Amendment Schools," by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the First Amendment Center (Arlington, Virginia). Explains that these schools involve students in the community and in democracy as a means to citizenship education. (CMK)

Discusses the philosophy of Core Knowledge that was developed by E. D. Hirsch and provides a description of the Core Knowledge curriculum sequence. Examines the history and language arts Core Knowledge curricula that foster civic virtue and the relationship between Core Knowledge and character education. Describes one program focusing on character…

Describes the theory and practice of an experiential civic education initiative, developed by the University of Minnesota, called "Public Achievement" which is based upon the concept of public work (the work of the people). Discusses how "Public Achievement" proves successful for undergraduate coaches in the education of young students. (CMK)

Describes Lawton (Michigan) Elementary School's "Road to Success" program, which emerged from concern for students' knowledge of civics and ability to participate as effective citizens. Explains that an important aspect of the program is its focus on Core Democratic Values. (CMK)

Describes the Comprehensive Social Studies Assessment Project (CSSAP), a collaborative effort by 23 states aiming to develop assessments for upper elementary, middle, and high school students in history, geography, civics, and economics. Explains that CSSAP aims to initiate a professional development program, implement a portfolio assessment, and…

Finds that eighth grade students in Facing History and Ourselves classrooms show increases in relationship maturity and decreases in racist attitudes and self-reported fighting behavior relative to comparison students. Reports that the gains made by Facing History students in moral reasoning and in civic attitudes and participation were not…

Provides information on civic education in Hong Kong, from colonization to decolonization. States that Hong Kong youth are apathetic in political and community affairs and addresses the resistance to national identify formation. Contends that civic education should be included in tertiary education and describes different civic education programs.…