It has become increasingly clear that education is a site of conflict. This essay examines the ideological positions that now dominate educational reforms and suggests a number of roles that critically democratic educators should play in confronting these reforms. It then details the contributions that the authors included in this special issue…

The article examines a US public elementary bilingual, multicultural school that attempts to interrupt the reproduction of existing relations of dominance and subordination across a variety of differences. The school's experiences illuminate the complex reality of schools as a site of struggle and compromise between at times contradictory…

As part of the continuing series of the Reviewing Policy section, this article examines some of the recent literature on the creation-evolution controversy. These controversies are placed within a larger analysis of the growth of authoritarian populist movements in the United States. The article then focuses attention on debates both over a number…

A critique of Robbie Case's essay (see EA 504 330). (EA)

Reviews two reports that, first, describe the current state of affairs in curriculum development focusing on the relationships between federal involvement and more local educational agencies and organizations; and, secondly, attempt to articulate a set of statements that would guide national policy on curriculum research, development, and…

Describes the historical process through which certain social meanings became particularly school meanings and a study of kindergarten experience that documents the potency and staying power of these particular social meanings, and raises the question of whether piecemeal reforms can succeed. (Author/MLF)

School curricula are not politically neutral grounds of knowledge. Rather, each takes certain social forms and embodies certain interests. The article discusses how the power of class, race, and gender dynamics determines curriculum structure. It also discusses the role of the school in capitalist countries. (JL)

The authors argue that decisions about curriculum and teaching are not merely technical matters, but require careful thinking. They discuss some of the issues of content and what schools teach different groups about power. (CH)

Examines the notion of community in terms of language forms and specialized knowledge, and in terms of the social organization of the members of discipline groups. (Author)

Professional debate over curriculum reform has shifted focus from content to procedural and organization issues. Government intervention to "teacher-proof" curriculum materials has further undercut teacher and curriculum workers' professionalism. Conflicts and compromise arising from social movements and pressures have shaped curriculum…

Author argues that education has increasingly become dominated by economic interest that can lead not to enhancing equality but to its opposite. Important ideological shifts are occurring in what education is for and in the content and control of curriculum, with an increased emphasis on making education an economic product. Author predicts a…

A review of "Contentious Curricula: Afrocentrism and Creationism in American Public Schools," by Amy Binder, claims it is a valuable analysis that employs a social movement perspective to uncover the dynamics involved in proposals for and the politics of curriculum change, especially in highly contested curriculum areas. (Contains 13…

Correspondence theories imply that there are specific characteristics, behavioral traits, and skills that an economy requires of its workers. These economic needs determine what goes on in all other sectors of society, particularly in the school. The hidden curriculum is then differentiated by economic class and economic potential. (JN)

The imminent educational crisis is at once economic, political, cultural, and ideological. Curriculum is discussed in relationship to Marxist ideology, conflict in the labor force, and political practice. (JN)

The connections between class and gender must be recognized if attempts to rationalize and proletarianize teaching are to be understood. Behaviorally-specified curriculum, prepackaged programs, and repeated testing and accountability measures represent attempts by state governments and by male administrators to wrest control of instruction from a…