Interviews and observations in literacy programs for welfare recipients indicated that, when learners tried to discuss problematic issues, teachers deflected discussion, upholding official discourses and ideological beliefs about learners and program purposes. The curriculum-in-use supported dominant discourses about meritocracy and racist and…

Suggests that over-emphasis on race and gender are dragging down standards at U.S. colleges and universities and taking minority students with them, noting that academically unchallenging classes harm African American students. Describes how one college professor emailed such an opinion to a student, who passed it on to others and created great…

Describes a mock trial focused on Jack Kevorkian and an euthanasia case that was included in a psychology and law course. Discusses the course format, provides the reactions to the mock trial by students and consultants, and includes suggestions for improving the mock trial. (CMK)

Provides demographic profiles from "Executive Educator's" fourth annual survey of U.S. school executives. Regarding disaster preparedness, only a small percentage of all districts in earthquake-prone areas have earthquake and fire action plans. Concerning controversial issues, teaching about substance abuse, child abuse, and teen suicide meets…

Discusses four issues relating to the use of controversial books in schools: (1) self-censorship; (2) policy; (3) parents' roles, teachers' roles, administrators' roles; and (4) impact of controversy. Offers suggestions on how parents, community members, administrators, and teachers can contribute to the selection and evaluation of texts in…

Issues-oriented public policy education should (1) address audiences at three levels (individuals and families, agencies and businesses, and government); (2) help communities move through the policy-making process to achieve resolution; and (3) provide a combination of technical information and help with the process (leadership, group dynamics,…

Explores adolescents' abilities to reason when considering civic issues. Analyzes dialectical essays composed by 22 high school students in order to evaluate the degree of critical reasoning displayed by the students. Suggests that high school students are capable of taking a position through critical evaluation when confronted with a civic issue.…

Lists Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) resources that will help bring science, technology, and society (STS) into the classroom. The annotated bibliography of seven references includes Faith Hickman's framework for curriculum reform, which compares the present trend of teaching STS-related social problems with historical trends. (LS)

A Kent State University (Ohio) course on the sociology of gays and lesbians has attracted both criticism and high enrollments. Most students are women; many are heterosexual. The course focuses on the history of the gay rights movement and theories of the basis of homosexuality. (MSE)

Elementary and junior high school science textbooks were analyzed for the presence of prerequisite topics on evolution (protoconcepts). Results indicated that coverage of evolutionary protoconcepts varies considerably among published textbooks. Recommendations for teacher analysis of textbooks are provided. (ZWH)

Examines the social conscience of science teachers as it bears on the teaching of controversial issues. Explores teachers' perceptions of the teaching of controversial issues, the problem of handling personal value positions when dealing with issues, and the tension that exists between the teaching of controversial issues and traditional…

A new effort to develop national standards in history for kindergarten through grade 12 has brought to the fore conflicts among scholars on multicultural views of U.S. history. Questions are being raised about the identification of a common core of historical knowledge and the applicability of recent historical research. (DB)

Examines the role of dissection in the teaching of secondary biology and environmental science, within the context of the development of attitudes toward animals. It was found that most students were required to perform dissections, several experience negative and stable emotional reactions, and teachers employed limited alternatives to dissection…

Describes a teaching/learning technique that emphasizes a dialogue approach to critical thinking and learning in the classroom, by using a point-counterpoint procedures to examine open-ended, controversial psychological issues from at least two opposing perspectives. The course teaches students to examine and evaluate information from opposing…

This article discusses the evolution and impact of ethnic and women's studies on college campuses, noting the existence of about 700 ethnic and 620 women's studies programs. It responds to common criticisms (e.g., such programs emphasize differences and thus foster divisiveness) and notes challenges, both personal and institutional, offered by…