The National Council for Social Studies views citizen education as the cornerstone of all social studies programs. NCSS recommends organizing K-12 social studies programs around 10 themes, including culture and cultural diversity, human self-perceptions over time, individual development and identity, people's organization for economic production…

Whether geography is taught alone or "infused" into social studies, U.S. students' knowledge is minimal, according to recent National Assessment of Educational Progress geography test results for 19,000 students in grades 4, 8, and 12. Curriculum specialists say geography coverage is incidental. The National Geographic Society is trying…

Of all art forms, dance is experienced least and considered low-priority. Art educators and the NAEP's arts education framework view dance as essential for every child's complete development. The National Dance Association has set high standards. Baltimore and South Bronx programs are profiled. (MLH)

Teachers' credentials cannot guarantee their classroom effectiveness. This article describes current teacher-education reform efforts, highlighting U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley's recent speech, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education's agenda, the National Commission on Teaching & America's Future's proposal,…

Studies by Tufts University's Center on Hunger and Poverty show conclusive links between nutrition and children's cognitive development. Cognitive defects can result from complex interactions between malnutrition and "environmental insults" that come from living in poverty. Poor nutrition has longterm consequences. Print and web…