Curriculum is a representation of the ideas that drive music teachers' decisions in their planning and instruction. Yet some components of curriculum are never written down but are prevalent in a music teacher's instruction; these components are often called the null or hidden curricula. This article considers what these curricula are, how they…

This paper argues that just as subject matter is inherently value-laden, educators should not feel trepidation about morally justifying their criteria for choosing curricula to be taught in the classroom. It recommends that true "moral" choices should be made on the bases of relevance to student experiences; moral propriety of subject matter…

In the process of selecting which science facts should be learned, the events that are selected become imbued with significance and their implicit messages with value. Contends that what is included and what is left out of science stories says much abut meaning-making at all levels of school science, and has implications for the way science is…

Most international schools have an expressed desire to change not only students' knowledge base, but their attitudes and values. Some claim that developing a value-system free from petty national prejudices is international schooling's major benefit. Further research is needed to corroborate such claims. (31 references) (MLH)

Materialism and the commodification of knowledge and education have left students alienated and disinterested. In response, some Chicano students have revolted against educational dehumanization and are engaged in a process of spiritualization through indigenismo. Chicano studies provides a potential path toward educational transformation by…

Efforts to reform teacher education should include careful reconsideration of what teachers learn about curriculum design and instructional methodology. The selection and organization of school knowledge have significant social, political, and ethical implications that are ignored by traditional, rationalistic assumptions about educational…

Many science educators have called attention to the need for teachers to prepare all types of students for a rapidly changing, technological world. Curriculum theorists have called for changes in a hidden curriculum of science they described as class specific and presenting science as a consensus arrived at by positivistic methods. This paper…

Focusing on competency in art education, the seven essays in this critique deal essentially with two aspects of this topic: as it appears to manifest itself in competency-based teacher education (CBTE), and how competency might be interpreted to serve in the name of art education. In the introductory section, "Art Educators focus on Controversy,"…

Communicating values is at the heart of education. Intertwined with the processes and procedures of schooling, a host of values are taught every day. Education, therefore, carries with it a social and moral imperative. If we are to help students avoid moral bankruptcy, we cannot have a value-neutral education. A basic feature of the social and…

Maintains that there is an ethical dimension of teaching as an educational activity. Asserts that educators must avoid the errors of considering the ethical dimension as an alternative approach to education as a technical action. Suggests that a human rights framework be used to derive ethical content. (CFR)

The national socialization of children through public schooling involves "dumbing children down" so they are unable to use democratic machinery and traditions to defend themselves against a managed society. This practice also eliminates local control of educational goals and practices, allowing families to be replaced by the hired voices…

Maintains that spirituality, by reason of its very nature and essence, is antithetical to the goals of state education. Argues that efforts to define spirituality as separate from religion are disingenuous and driven by a specific political agenda. Discusses the conflicting goals of spirituality and secular institutionalization. (MJP)

Argues against the limited definition of spiritual education as strictly concerned with the mystical and transcendental. Maintains that a broader application of spiritual education can and should be offered. Asserts that this application needs to be developed in terms of curricular objectives and assessment. (MJP)

Reports on the results of 180 questionnaires given to public school teachers and 26 structured follow-up interviews on how teachers view themselves as moral educators. Found that teachers' individual moralities shaped the choices they made. Discovered that, although reluctant to teach values directly, teachers feel a commitment to share their…

Asserts that professional morality deals with decisions, strategies, products, and by-products in teaching. Reports on interviews with 60 teachers and discusses 5 types of decision making. Concludes that appropriate teacher training programs can help develop conceptual frames of professional responsibility. (CFR)