The author is always looking for material to use in her campaign to end the educational "back-atcha" cycle. It is a multi-generational process, wherein unsophisticated fact-centered high school instruction turns out students resilient against understanding historical discipline despite their college courses; these students then go on to…

Recommendations and guidelines developed by the American Historical Association for certification requirements for history teachers in secondary schools are presented. The guidelines are based on the conviction that teachers of history must be well versed in history. Requirements proposed in history and closely related subjects constitute one-half…

Presents a lesson plan designed to enhance student understanding of the value of history study. Focuses on David Laushey's 10 values of the study of history. Creates a series of discussion vignettes based on these concepts. Includes questions for study and a list of vignettes for classroom discussion and problem solving. (NL)

Suggests that teachers of required history courses have a particularly challenging task in their first class meeting because of the captive nature of their audience. Proposes using the technique of providing humorous information and intriguing anecdotes to stimulate student interest. Provides a list of such items for teacher use. (KO)

A required core contemporary history course is proposed for Europe's senior pupils, needed because of prospects for European integration. The course could be shaped by pairing three fundamental ideas with related conflicts: Reformation/30 Years War, Enlightenment/French Revolution and Napoleanic Wars, and Nationalism/World Wars I and II. (IAH)

Discusses "Liberal Learning and the History Major," a report on the state of history education by the American Historical Association that cited a need for curricular structure in and continuity among history departments. Includes an overview of recommendations on curriculum, active learning, and emphasis on research and writing skills.…

Oral history has not been widely used in required high school history courses. Time, money, transcribing interviews, lack of teaching manuals, and the difficulties in evaluating students were cited as problems associated with using oral history as an instructional tool. Yet oral history projects do not have to be major productions to be…

This bulletin reports the findings from a 1987 nationwide school survey of arts and humanities instruction conducted by Westat, Inc. for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities. (The data are representative of approximately 15,250 operating school districts in the United States, 75% of which have…