The ongoing debates about the future of social insurance programs such as Social Security and Medicare raise questions about the public's knowledge of the history of social insurance and about the impact these programs have on millions of Americans. In general, public conversations about social policies in the U.S. tend to focus on whether or not…

The 2008 presidential election stands as a "change" election. The public's anxiety over the challenges globalization poses to the future of the American Dream is driving a desire for the country to change direction. The American people understand that what will give the nation a competitive advantage in a global marketplace are the…

This paper, drawn from a book in progress, summarizes evidence of a "civic achievement gap" between non-white, poor, and/or immigrant youth, on the one hand, and white, wealthier, and/or native-born youth, on the other. Young people (and adults) in the former group demonstrate consistently lower levels of civic and political knowledge, skills,…

Education in Israel is often described as caught between two ends: state-formation and nation-building. In the last decade civic education in Israel has been undergoing some changes. The civic compulsory curriculum for state high schools was unified across all educational sectors in Israel with the aim of creating a more inclusive, universal civic…

As a result of a state takeover, the School District of Philadelphia has been implementing a "diverse provider model" in which for-profit and nonprofit organizations have been hired as school managers. This study explores the first three years of the model, examining the shift away from the rhetoric of competition to the evolution of a…

This paper examines the democratic changes that have occurred in the Czech Republic since 1989 and identifies three universal problems a democracy must address. Those problems include: (1) the problem of limits for majority rule; (2) the problem of limits for personal liberty and the power of government; and (3) the problem of limits for positive…

This report states there are at least 12 seedbeds of civic virtue considered to be the foundational sources of competence, character, and citizenship. The report also claims that the decline of these qualities is cause for weakening morality and the endangerment of continuing self-governance; and as the social morality deteriorates, life becomes…

This keynote address examines the clashing viewpoints of unity and diversity on the meanings of "e pluribus unum." The continuing debate can be cataloged and clarified by three "ideal-type" models of conceptions: (1) monolithic integration; (2) pluralistic preservation; and (3) pluralistic integration. The speaker examines the main themes of these…

Educators from around the state, with the help of The Vermont Institutes, developed Vermont History and Social Sciences Grade Cluster Expectations (GCEs) as a means to identify the content knowledge and skills expected of all students for local assessment required under Act 68. This work was accomplished using the "Vermont's Framework of…

Americans are constantly reevaluating their commitment to First Amendment rights and values and rearranging their priorities, asking themselves whether life would be more civil, more orderly, less threatening if the excesses of expression were somehow more subdued. That clear sense of unease permeates this second State of the First Amendment…

The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) promotes research on the civic and political engagements of Americans between the ages of 15 and 25. The following topics are covered in this issue of Around the CIRCLE: (1) CIRCLE and The Council for Excellence in Government Release New Poll on Young People; (2)…

Citizenship is complex and involves more than academic knowledge and skills. Effective citizenship education should prepare young people in three areas: civic literacy, civic virtues, and civically-engaged behaviors. This publication describes the connection between civic education and service learning, and provides lists of references, web…

Canadian Studies is defined broadly to include the social sciences and humanities and to take account of skills, values and attitudes as well as content. (Editor)

Lists Internet sites related to articles in this issue. Topics include a first-grade unit on voting, student-created theme binders, techniques for student motivation, and involving parents in the middle school. (KDFB)