These seven papers address problems of teaching about state government and politics at the secondary level and provide a framework and suggestions for improving the curriculum. The first paper analyzes the current civics curriculum and notes that textbooks underemphasize state government and overemphasize the structure and the formal procedures of…

The author contends that conceptions of citizenship education must be updated to prepare students for participation in an increasingly interdependent, complex, and changing world. Good citizenship refers to the degree to which decisions regarding public affairs are undertaken self-consciously and purposively. Responsible citizenship involves a…

This handbook contains learning activities on political participation for use in secondary level American government or civics courses. It is designed to orient students and teachers to politics and the political process, to be successful at political endeavors, and to become involved in political activity within the school and local community.…

A rationale for Canadian studies and outlines of appropriate content for various grade levels are presented. The book is designed to help teachers, curriculum planners, and teacher educators in preparing effective Canadian studies programs. Chapter I offers a discussion of the need for pan-Canadian understanding. Canadian studies can help young…

In an effort to assess teacher preparation for political education, elementary and junior high school teachers in the metropolitan Atlanta area were surveyed to determine their backgrounds and professional needs for political/civic education. Three hundred and one teachers of fifth, sixth, and seventh grades responded to the questionnaire. The…

This 1976 review by the Michigan Department of Education of senior high school government textbooks used in Michigan schools suggests that the majority of textbooks are "grossly lacking" in terms of the fair inclusion of the "achievements and accomplishments of ethnic and racial groups," as specified in Act 127 (Social Studies…

The project's activities during the past year to develop a process for analysis of the working of pressure groups in the political decision-making process are discussed in this report. In addition, information is given on the organization and developmental processes which the team used in the formulation and adaption of a unit. In the first part…

A program description of a social studies curriculum development project supported by an ESEA Title III Grant is presented in this paper. The course, designed for secondary students who will soon be voting, focuses on the importance of active involvement and citizenship responsibility for participation in the democratic process. The major…

This guide outlines a social studies unit on rights and responsibilities for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. A major objective of the unit is to teach children positive and constructive methods for resolving their conflicts within a framework of fairness to all persons concerned. The unit helps students understand why standards, rules, or laws…

The resource handbook contains ideas, suggestions, and resource materials for teaching about the state and local government of Oregon to students at the elementary and secondary grade levels. The guide's major objective is to assure that new voters will graduate with the necessary skills and knowledge to be confident and active participants in…

Following the precept that strong citizenship education requires strong law education, the Special Committee on Youth Education for Citizenship (YEFC) of the American Bar Association compiled this introduction to programs and resources in pre-college law education. The objectives of law education, described in Section I, include developing…

This project's study of pressure groups in Canadian urban government proposes the development of an interdisciplinary social science cirriculum for the secondary school student in grades 9 through 12 which would give meaningful perspective toward the various decision-making structures and processes. Other major objectives are: 1) to enable the…

The purposes of this guide, for use at the secondary level, are to: 1) define the nature and scope of personal economics, indicating specifically six major forms of economic activity that individuals engage in; 2) identify basic ideas and concepts within each of these six categories; 3) describe a process of personal economics decision-making; 4)…

This special instructional handbook presents a unit of study on the United States Constitution for educable mentally retarded students at the secondary level. The adapted material explains the structure of the national government, and is designed to promote citizenship and patriotic values. Preliminary information includes a glossary of new words,…

The objective of this manual is to provide analyses of curriculum materials that will allow administrators, curriculum coordinators, methods teachers, and classroom teachers to select materials which are appropriate to their needs and situation. Materials included here reflect the three major categories of innovative social studies curriculum…