For almost three quarters of a century, advocates have worked to give comparable federal stature to September 17, the day on which we celebrate the anniversary of the 1787 signing of the U.S. Constitution by the nation's founders. As President John F. Kennedy noted in his 1961 Constitution Day proclamation, it is a day for…

A history of suffrage in the United States and an examination of voting percentages of the population in recent years show that large groups in our country do not vote. Antiquated voter registration laws prevent members of our highly mobile population from exercising their right to vote. (AV)

Suggestions are given for teaching students to be constructive, critical assessors of presidential decision making. The "benign leader" image presented in traditional textbooks is criticized, and a decision-making model and source materials are suggested for guiding students' discussions. (AV)

Discusses the purposes of history in the curriculum. Presents several examples of using history to explain contemporary events. Argues that historical knowledge is essential for effective citizenship in a democratic society. (CFR)

The authors discuss (1) the meaning of citizen participation and the types of roles and skills that can be taught in classrooms; (2) how textbooks and other social studies materials teach participant roles; and (3) a sample lesson for teaching participation skills. (AV)

Presents a statement from the National Council for the Social Studies that focuses on citizenship education. Includes a list of characteristics of an effective citizen and an effective citizenship program. Encourages educators to prepare students to assume their roles as U.S. citizens. (CMK)

Focuses on how young people do not participate in the voting process. Discusses three types of voters and the use of democratic deliberation in the classroom. Highlights three types of issues that can be considered for democratic deliberation and offers criteria to help teachers select the best issues. (CMK)

This article presents a way of looking at decision making that can facilitate students' achievement of citizenship skills that may enable them to be more effective participants during and between elections. (AV)

Asserts that the participation of citizens in the U.S. Census is vital because the quality of the census is increased and in turn allows for the accurate depiction of U.S. society and allocation of resources. Believes that service learning enables students to learn about and participate in the U.S. Census. (CMK)

Discusses the major global trends that citizens of the new millennium must address and why critics question globalization. Asserts that a new conception of "citizen" is required, describing a form of citizenship education called multidimensional citizenship. Considers how to provide schools that are centers of citizen education. (CMK)

Argues that the failure to remember the civic purpose of education affects the place public schools hold in society. Believes that public schools are the means for educating students to become responsible citizens emphasizing the value of the public school and its capacity to promote the common good. (CMK)

Examines multicultural and global education in relation to the growing concern for equity and social justice in the social studies curriculum. Suggests that global education studies global equity, whereas multicultural education teaches national equity. Argues that both types of programs, if well-designed and implemented, can fulfill the U.N.…

Explores the nature of political polling describing various kinds of polls, when the polls are used, and other external factors affecting polling in political campaigns. Provides three lessons to help students understand and develop skills related to polling as preparation for their roles as citizens in a democracy. (CMK)

Discusses the origin, development, and role of the volunteer corps that assist the United Nations in humanitarian efforts. Describes how the concept of national volunteer service has spread from the United States to many other countries, including some former recipient nations that now have their own volunteer services. (CFR)

Asserts that, although active citizenship is heralded as the goal of social studies, few textbook studies have attempted to define or examine civic participation. Reports on a study of the treatment of citizenship in four widely used third-grade textbooks. Finds that, although the texts are largely supportive of mainstream political values, they…