"May you live in interesting times," goes the saying, attributed to the Chinese, although the provenance is unproven. It is widely understood to be a curse, for which a loose translation could be: "May you experience disorder and trouble in your life." In this essay Christine Woyshner raises the issue of the "interesting…

Human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research has sparked incredible scientific and public excitement, as well as significant controversy. hESCs are pluripotent, which means, in theory, that they can be differentiated into any type of cell found in the human body. Thus, they evoke great enthusiasm about potential clinical applications. They are…

As a result of inter- and intranational migrations, urban schools in early 21st-century Western nations serve more ethnoculturally diverse populations than ever before. The impact of global events resonates in these schools at the local community level. In this article I argue for the administrative fusion of local and global perspectives, a…

The ancient idea of cosmopolitanism is a topic of renewed interest today. Scholars and practitioners in many fields are examining what it means to conceive all human beings as linked by their membership in a shared cosmos. Some people focus on political cosmopolitanism, others on moral, cultural, or economic cosmopolitanism. This paper examines…

Globalization presents a new social context for educational institutions from elementary schools to universities. In response to this new context, schools and universities are slowly changing their ways. These changes range from altering the curriculum so that students understand the process of globalization itself, or developing competencies…

Globalization changes everything. When young people affect and are affected by issues, changes, and events across the world, they need to be given the tools to participate in global discourse and decision making. With their incredible consumer power, today's preK-12 students are already influencing global economic, technological, and environmental…

America's sense of community is broken down; its sense of connectedness and the collective is "collapsing." That these senses ever existed is a matter for considerable debate. But, as the new millennium gains momentum and neoliberalism seeks expansion, the author argues that a focus on rekindling these concepts of community,…

As she reflects on the question forming the title of this piece, the author begins with a premise--namely, that they became teacher educators because they are motivated to make a difference. They are committed to education, and they feel compelled to prepare the next generation of teachers. With the best of intentions, the author does not think…

Lois Weiner (2007) asserts that neoliberalism is "a lethal threat to U.S. teacher education" (p. 274). In this paper, the authors argue that neoliberalism poses the most important challenge faced by teacher education in an increasingly global society. Neoliberalism is having a direct impact on U.S. teacher education in the form of the…

These are demanding times for America and for nations around the world. Today, as at no time in recent history, everyone is experiencing massive, often-tumultuous changes that are transforming one's society economically, politically, and socially. As ongoing debates about these and other factors continue to redefine the world, America's education…

To answer the editor's question "What are the major challenges faced by teacher education in an increasing global society?" many issues deserve notice. They may be summarized as building the will, the space, the capacity, and the evidence. The author starts with an assumption that, at least rhetorically, is not controversial. Teacher…

Discusses geographical illiteracy in the United States and the problems of inadequate international awareness and poor understanding of major global issues. Examines what citizens should know, why they should care, and what people should do about the lack of global knowledge. Presents a list of 57 references dealing with global issues. (GEA)

A copy of the official position statement of the National Council for the Social Studies, this document provides a rationale for the studying about various religions in public schools, including information on the 1963 United States Supreme Court decision that declared such study both legal and desirable. (JDH)

Beginning with the official exchange of letters between Secretary of State Shultz and Unesco Director-General Amadou-Mahtar M'Bow, this forum continues with responses from 28 international critics and supporters. Also included are two background pieces on the New International Information and Communications Order. (PD)

Relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China are improving after nearly three years of conflict and acrimony. The two countries are again able to act in pursuit of their common interests and for the benefit of peace in the Asian region and the world. (RM)