Revenue, expenditure, and employment data indicate that county governments--once taken for granted and playing "second fiddle" to municipalities--are playing an increasingly important role (and sometimes a role equal to that of municipalities) as vital service providers. Therefore, one would expect that county governments and municipal governments…

The ability to advocate for personal, family, and community health represents an essential skill for a health literate individual. By providing opportunities to successfully engage in health advocacy and service learning activities, students may be motivated to become life-long advocates for health and continue to actively advocate and participate…

Democracy is not a "machine that would go of itself," but according to this paper, must be consciously reproduced, one generation instructing the next in the knowledge and skills, as well as in the civic character and commitments required for its sustenance. This paper invites concerned citizens to join in a nation-wide discussion of…

In 1553 the work that is touted as the first complete book written in English on rhetoric was published, Thomas Wilson's "Arte of Rhetorique." It became so popular it enjoyed eight printings within its century. Wilson was not a person to translate and read just for knowledge; he believed that knowledge should be imparted to the general…

This book seeks to address the educational significance of philosophy as a subject in the K-12 curriculum, and includes a range of issues from the teaching of philosophy to the improvement of thinking, the nature of a community of inquiry, and the educational significance of grade school philosophy. The book is divided into 6 sections with 15…

This article states that the schools throughout our country have a great need today for instituting an enlarged and improved program of youth education in the fundamentals of law in a free society and in the responsibilities of leadership. (Reactions are also included.) (RC)

Making children good citizens for tomorrow, despite the examples of dishonesty and irresponsibility available in today's news headlines, requires of teachers a positive attitude, concrete positive examples, and thoughtful discussion of personal responsibility. (JH)

Shuan Butcher is director of the Center for Youth as Resources in Washington, DC, a national organization that connects youth to their communities through local Youth as Resources (YAR) programs, which engage youth as problem solvers, partners, and stakeholders in positive community change. In YAR, young people and adults work together as equal…

A lead article, Instructional Uses of School Political Experiences, written by Judith A. Gillespie, describes the High School Political Science Curriculum Project, the materials for which are in the early developmental stages. As has been explained in SO 005 407 and SO 005 409, the approach utilizes the school as a political laboratory. An effort…

Provides an annotated bibliography of law-related education materials for grades K through 12. The annotations are divided into the following categories: (1) elementary law-related education, (2) juries, (3) opposing viewpoints, (4) practical law, and (5) supplementing law-related education. (JDH)

A game to help secondary civics students understand how a Congressional bill becomes law is presented. The game board is pictured; teachers have to run off copies on the photocopier and then add dice and some colored pieces of paper for students to use as markers. (RM)

This material provides students with information to prepare for a mock trial. The defendant in this case has been accused of the crime of driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages causing severe bodily injury. Case materials include stipulated facts, jury instructions, depositions, and other related materials. (EH)

In this document the social studies knowledge and skills deemed necessary for preparing Maine students for work, higher education, citizenship, and personal fulfillment are identified. The document serves as a guideline for teachers and parents regarding what students should know and be able to do at various checkpoints during their social studies…

Post-World War II adult civic education sought to promote citizen participation, individual development, and the creation of an aware and informed citizenry. The objectives were the creation of a public opinion able to assess critically the accomplishment of government, and citizens able to identify and solve common social problems. (Author/AG)

Highlights a recently reported national survey of what young Americans (ages 9-35) know and understand about their constitutional rights, the political process, the role of government and basic democratic principles. Findings indicate that many Americans are unfamiliar with the political functionings of the country or their rights guaranteed under…