Personality characteristics of different generations are discussed as they may affect suicide. Suicide data for 1968-91 are presented for "Boomers" (born 1943-60) and for Americans called "13ers" (13th generation of Americans; born 1961-81). Results indicate that both cohorts are at greater risk than earlier generations, with…

Examines how educators can create a school culture that supports and nurtures the success and accomplishments of all students. Discusses the role of institutional core values; school heroes and leaders representing those values; the school's system of rewards, reinforcement, and punishments; the school's ceremonies and rituals; and how the…

Analyzes both book and film versions of "The Firm" and "Jurassic Park" to explore the rhetorical textures of incivility that contemporary audiences generally appear to share and enjoy as entertainment but abjure and revile as politics. Notes that these postmodern performances celebrate public absence and flight to the private…

Maintains that, if Richard Nixon is to be considered as a significant historical figure, his personality and complexity must be studied. Asserts that Nixon viewed the world as an unremitting struggle and unceasing competition in which an individual could only succeed by his own efforts. (CFR)

This essay considers several issues that impact on children's education, creating communities of learning within schools, and the education of educators. Among the questions considered are what does it mean to know; what knowledge is of most worth; and how and what should teachers know. (35 references) (IAH)

Reports on a study of views of friendship among 20 5- and 6-year-old British students. Finds that boys and girls were able to interpret friendships as transactions. Also finds differences between boys and girls on their understanding of "bad friends." (CFR)

Reports on a study of the apparently paradoxical absence of background socioeconomic status (SES) effects on school continuation by college graduates. Finds results consistent with earlier studies of SES impact on schooling and explains the absence of parental SES effects on schooling beyond college. (CFR)

Maintains that "New York Times v. Sullivan" (1964) was the greatest political libel case ever decided by the Supreme Court. Asserts that it is a monument to the idea that open political discourse is the best guarantee of democratic self-governance. (CFR)

Discusses the schoolbook protest movement, examining common myths and misunderstandings: protesters are primarily concerned with filth, parents have the right to request that books be removed, unilateral action solves problems, protesters play by the rules, public schools preach alien religions, and public schools may not mention the Bible or…

After presenting a history of censorship, the paper examines current censorship arising from people who are frightened of ideas counter to their own. The impact of music and book censorship is discussed, and the realities of political correctness are noted. (SM)

Contends that citizenship and democracy are two of the most overused words in social studies classrooms. Maintains that schools must walk a tightrope between those fostering patriotic attitudes and those fostering critical-mindedness and protest. Includes four suggestions for critical thinking in social studies. (CFR)

Describes the Knight Fundamental Academy, a magnet school in the Denver (Colorado) public school system. The academy has demonstrated academic achievement through a rigorous course of instruction in the fundamentals with traditional teaching. Parent involvement is an essential part of the school's philosophy, as are respect and good manners. (SLD)

Small historic sites are endeavors by small communities to preserve elements of their past. The sites they choose reveal the cultural values they esteem today. The structures most frequently represented at seven museum-developed sites are schools and churches because they were agents of social order, centers of community life and ritual, and…

Effective AIDS education must be more clearly defined. The new definition must include moral reasoning, because skills and abilities to reason morally about behavior are lacking. The paper discusses the features of an AIDS education program that includes the development of moral reasoning. (SM)

Investigates issues of conceptual understanding in teaching and learning mathematics provided conceptually based instruction on place value and two-digit addition and subtraction without regrouping in four first grade classrooms. Conventional textbook-based instruction was provided in two first grade classrooms. Experimental-group students scored…