In this response to Molly Ware's review of our 2013 book, "John Dewey and Education Outdoors," we extend her suggestion that complexity be regarded as an important, generative force in education reform. Drawing on Dewey's 1933 "Utopian Schools" speech, we discuss the "level deeper" that Dewey sought as he…

Students--and their best interests--are the focal point of curriculum reform in basic education in Hong Kong. Since 2001, Hong Kong has sought to reform basic education so as to enable every student to become "all-rounded." At a practical level, this has meant the cultivation of students' ethics and values, intellect, physical fitness,…

In this article, the author begins by describing an important present moment in curriculum studies. He then rethinks this moment and briefly explores the implications of this new line of thought for leadership development. At the 2007 American Association for the Advancement of Curriculum Studies' (AAACS) business meeting, Pinar (2007a) presented…

Involving communities in the process of curriculum development may not be novel, but it seems lacking with regard to controversial issues such as lessons on diverse family structures, homosexuality, and other special situations. Disparity in values and convictions can lead one person to support a decision, while another person might hold an…

Typically, school curriculum has been viewed through the lens of preparation for the workplace or higher education--both worthy objectives. However, this is not the only lens, and perhaps not even the most powerful one to use, if the goal is to optimize the educational system. "Curriculum on the Edge of Survival" attempts to define basic aspects…

The suggestion to equate values with purpose is considered. The advantage of value development over moral development is that values apply to a broader category of ideas while morality has a more confined and narrow application. All students and teachers should attempt to become both creators and appreciators of values. (JN)

Arts Education is, technically, core to the school curriculum according to federal mandates and certain state mandates. However, it is rarely made accessible to all students despite earnest advocating on the part of dedicated organizations and individuals. In order for a democratic society to function successfully, its members must be invested and…

Discusses the role of moral education and values clarification in the curriculum, highlighting how educators' morality influences the implementation of values-centered curricula. The article advocates curricula in which students learn to critically examine their daily choices and proposes that a moral education helps students learn to think…

A historical overview of the teaching of moral conduct in schools forms the first part of this paper. The authors cite several precedents for education focused on producing high moral conduct and describe the recent slackening of concern for moral education in our public schools. In the second part of the paper, the authors discuss the steps taken…

Examines how the section on values in the 1981 "California History/Social Science Framework" points the way and direction for educating students to become good citizens. The author discusses 10 basic ideas or value-oriented claims that he thinks could be used as an intellectual framework to guide the designing of civic education…

The winning of an artist representing the lowest level of Finnish musical taste during the 2006 Eurovision song contest marks not only the rebellious attitude towards the over-sanitized contest, but it was the result of a new practice--voting by text message. Recently, music-biased schools that were once selective of the music they teach are now…

America's sense of community is broken down; its sense of connectedness and the collective is "collapsing." That these senses ever existed is a matter for considerable debate. But, as the new millennium gains momentum and neoliberalism seeks expansion, the author argues that a focus on rekindling these concepts of community,…

Addressing the problem that educators have in compiling a legitimate list of values to teach, the author examines the Bible as a source of value legitimacy and details the values expressed in the Hebrew and Christian covenants, the Ten Commandments, and the six beatitudes. (SJL)

A reasoned response to questions about teaching moral education in the schools. (Author/MLF)

An effective sex education curriculum deals with both feelings and behaviors. It must address decision making and problem solving in regard to relationship formation, readiness for intercourse, use of contraception, child rearing, and social responsibility and should be incorporated into education throughout the educational process. (JN)