U.S. educational events during 1987 included plans for a national board to certify teachers, federal appeals court decisions that overturned Tennessee and Alabama textbook censorship cases, the U.S. Supreme Court's finding as to the unconstitutionality of Louisiana's creation science law, and concern about rapid increases in college costs. This…

Reviews waves of school reform from the 19th through the 20th centuries, illuminating the search for answers to such questions as Whom should public education serve? Who pays? Can/should public education solve social ills? (SK)

Eleven recent major reports on the status of American education are listed and their availability noted. Other synopses, related materials, and individual and organizational information sources are also outlined. (MSE)

Educators anticipate bold new education reform initiatives from President Bill Clinton and his Education Secretary, Richard Riley. A priority project is college tuition loans, repayable through voluntary public service jobs. The President also supports increased funding for the Head Start Program and money for a national apprenticeship program for…

One in a collection of articles on George Peabody provides a short biography of Peabody, who grew up poor, became wealthy, then gave of his wealth for education. (SM)

This paper discusses the historical background of the creationist movement, presents Federal Judge Overton's analysis of why and how the Creationists got the equal time evolution/creation teaching law passed in Arkansas, and examines how scientists and educators are reacting to the controversy. Creationists were set back when Overton declared…

One in a collection of papers on George Peabody, educational philanthropist, discusses the history of his philanthropy. The paper looks at Peabody's life, death, and unusual funeral, his fortune, the first institute (born out of the Peabody Education Fund), the division of the fund, and Peabody's international planning dinners. (SM)

This paper traces objectives and implications of philosophies which have shaped American education from colonial days to the 1980s. Two recurring themes are stressed--educational opportunity and quality. From the perspective of 200 years of educational experience, it can be seen that schooling has been available to the vast majority of American…

With the publication of "A Nation at Risk," public education suddenly became a top national political priority. This report of the National Commission on Excellence in Education warned of a wide range of educational shortcomings. Among these were: 13 percent of 17-year-olds are functionally illiterate, high school students graduate with…

In the 1960's Max Rafferty, a conservative California teacher, principal, and superintendent of public instruction, expressed many ideas which the New Right has been able to put into effect in the 1980's. The influence of political and religious conservatives is seen in movements for public school prayer; advancing private over public education…

One of several articles on George Peabody, who made the largest educational benefaction ever in his time, notes how Peabody set the pattern for modern large-scale philanthropy. The article examines Peabody's history as a businessman, philanthropist, and master teacher worldwide and discusses his influence on museums and libraries. (SM)

One in a collection of articles on George Peabody describes the author's experiences writing and publishing a doctoral dissertation on Peabody's educational philanthropy. The paper lists the sources to which the research trail led and gives an overview of Peabody's importance as a merchant turned international banker and educational…