This article presents two perspectives on the place of individualism and community in American schooling. One view maintains that individualism has been ill-defined and played down, producing an unnecessary dichotomy between individualism and community. The second view argues for subordination of individual interests to community goals. (IAH)

Examines Nel Noddings' interpretation of caring and investigates the implications of Noddings' caring as a foundation for school communities. The paper also examines the work of Arendt, noting that Arendt's theory of the public offers solutions to many dilemmas presented by caring. The paper emphasizes the importance of looking to multiple…

This article reviews early-twentieth-century efforts to transform public schools into multipurpose social service institutions. Except in physical education, the progressive influence has been less than generally believed, whether with regard to the organization of classroom instruction or to the addition of social services and nonacademic…

This article evaluates the educational voucher system and how it may solve effectiveness and efficiency problems of the educational system through market accountability. Educational goals and state and community roles in reaching these goals are discussed. Comments by Richard J. Murnane and Edwin G. West are given. (DF)

Outlined is an approach to educational history of the 1960s which incorporates the linkage between social, political, and contemporary educational history. The key theme cited is the interaction between the Black equal education struggle, the state structure, and the enactment of state-sponsored reforms that shaped popular protest patterns. (IAH)

Considers "The Culture of Disbelief" (Stephen Carter) and "Educating for Intelligent Belief or Unbelief" (Nel Noddings) and how to incorporate religious issues in public school education in light of the persistent religiosity of Americans, a current discomfort with religious issues in public forums, and strong emerging conflicts whose effects are…

Reviews four books on urban education, discussing prospective policy solutions to improve its condition. Discusses how the books agree or disagree with emerging policy patterns and perspectives and argues that the solution is not linking urban schools to the suburbs, but rather centering the education policy discussion on urban students,…

This paper highlights four books that examine issues related to public schools: who public schools belong to, why Americans fund public education, and what is public about it. The paper discusses the major themes of the books, noting existence of a general sense that education matters. (SM)