Traces the general shift from broad, national curriculum reform programs in political education in the United States to smaller, more localized projects. Presents examples of local projects, with particular emphasis on a citizenship education program sponsored by the Georgia State Department of Education. (Author/DB)

This study evaluates an Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title IV educational improvement project, conducted in elementary and secondary schools, concerning the political system and citizenship. The project model, focusing on teachers as change agents receiving support channeled from other parts of the system, was found effective at both…

Compares the theories of E. D. Hirsch on teaching cultural literacy with the earlier work of education reformer, Carleton Washburne. Points out that Washburne also supported the notion of cultural literacy, developed a social studies curriculum, and promoted the organization and internal continuity of learning as the prime consideration. (NL)

Service learning in civic education combines in-school learning and out-of-school work to enhance democratic education and assist the community. This paper examines the evolution of service learning through several decades of scholarship in the genre of civic education, citing examples of past notable projects that have linked academic study with…

Traditionally, civic education has been introduced at the eighth grade level. Research indicates that youngsters begin learning political information and attitudes much earlier. With that in mind, this publication is designed around concepts that can be developed throughout the primary and intermediate grades. Elementary students can begin to…

During the decade that followed World War II, social studies education in the United States was affected by many societal changes, particularly the new socio-political climate and a widespread discontent with the state of postwar public education. By the mid 1950s there was a crisis atmosphere regarding U.S. education contributed to by limited…

Argues that middle-school social-studies educators should teach students skills to deal with the tremendous power of television in their lives. Discusses television viewing, television as a "good-bad" information source, and its connection to the middle-school curriculum. Discusses 11 media literacy activities that can be integrated into…

The major objective of the Improving Citizenship Education Project (ICE) of the Fulton County (Georgia) school system was to improve the knowledge and attitudes of K-12 students about political science and citizenship. The ICE program is described as a model for other school systems. (RM)

Cites recent survey data on sources of news. Claims that a television is by far the dominant source. Discusses implications of this fact for social studies education. Tables and charts of data on news sources are included. (DB)

States that cultural pluralism has been important in U.S. society since the founding of the Republic. Identifies four conceptualizations of pluralism, two based on assimilation and two based on the persistence of multiculturalism. Concludes that a multicultural society that acknowledges common core values is essential to the success of the U.S.…

Discusses the impact on social studies education of events following World War II, including the Cold War and McCarthyism. Examines the professional literature to determine how the emphasis in social studies education changed from stressing broad societal and international goals to rote learning of civic duties. Concludes that after the 1950s,…

Evaluation results from the Improving Citizenship Education (ICE) Project are presented. The purpose of the ICE project was to design and test a model for improving the political/citizenship knowledge and attitudes of K-12 students by infusing citizenship education into an existing social studies curriculum. This evaluation examined the…

Compares political attitudes of West German and U.S. twelfth-year students 16 to 18 years old. Analyzes 39 items of an 80-item questionnaire from a cross-sectional survey of 552 West German and 483 U.S. students. Finds that West German students are more questioning and realistic than U.S. students. (KO)

Growing emphasis on improving citizenship education at the local school system level is promoting projects which are smaller in size and cost, broader in objectives, and which motivate learning by focusing on local issues. This gradual shift from national curriculum reform programs is a result of the realization that students lack basic knowledge…

This paper examines four major research studies spanning approximately 45 years which provide solid evidence that democratic schooling is possible and is an extremely important factor in the education of young citizens for a democratic society. The objectives, methodology, limitations, and results of each study are examined. From the studies, the…