The purpose of this companion to SO 001 250 is to provide teachers with specific information for improving instruction concerned with individual freedom and responsibility. The need for improvement has been established by studies indicating little or no change in the political orientation of high school students from the formal civics curriculum,…

An innovative social studies teacher education program at the University of Tubingen, West Germany, is described. The problems, aims, and structure of the course of study as well as general theories of learning in West Germany are discussed and these educational phenomena are compared with their American counterparts. The paper is presented in…

Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL), introduces "Developing a New Course for Adult Learners," edited by Marguerite Ann Snow and Lia Kamhi-Stein. This volume in TESOL's Language Curriculum Development Series presents the stories of teachers, curriculum developers, and administrators from all over the world who…

This volume represents the work of the Mid-continent Regional Education Laboratory (McREL) in surveying and consolidating the national and state efforts to identify what students in kindergarten through grade 12 should know and be able to do in a variety of subject areas. McREL researchers consulted 116 national and state documents that address…

Presents the syllabus of an introductory U.S. government course. The course stresses alternative views on government including multiculturalism, grass-roots politics, social issues, class, race, and gender. Specifically, seeks to inculcate critical thinking and a global awareness. Includes a course outline, discussion of grading policies, and list…

Recounts the recent debate over family values, civic culture, and cinematic violence and considers the implications for educators. Uses this national debate as a case study to investigate efforts to exercise control over and limit the democratization of culture. Argues for an expanded notion of civic culture. (MJP)

Briefly explores a number of World Wide Web sites devoted to providing information about the 1996 elections. Evaluates web sites maintained by the Atlantic Monthly, Congressional Quarterly, CNN, and MTV. While most sites cover the national election, at least one, ElectNet, focuses on state and local elections. (MJP)

Presents a lesson plan that compares freedom of the press in the United States and other countries. Reveals the extent to which the First Amendment protects press freedom from abuses found in other countries. Includes a world map illustrating areas enjoying freedom of the press, and related statistical tables. (MJP)

Articulates the need for international cooperation concerning environmental issues and the promotion of sustainable development. Discusses several international treaties and conventions addressing specific environmental concerns. Lists a number of worldwide environmental concerns, including fresh water, arable land, air pollution, oceans, forests,…

Maintains that research on political socialization began in the late 1950s and died a premature death in the 1970s. Discusses the field's origins and downfall, and predicts a rebirth in a new and sustainable form. Outlines changes in secondary school political science education and political socialization research in other nations. (CFR)

Maintains that the broad arenas of the social sciences bind multiple areas of study together, giving added breadth and depth to each. Identifies the basic tenets of multicultural, global, and civic education. Includes suggested learning activities on the theme of individual versus community rights and responsibilities in U.S. history. (CFR)

Provides a quick look at some World Wide Web sites that contain current election year information. Recommends Project Vote Smart, a site with links to online news organizations, the home pages of all presidential candidates, and other political sites. Briefly notes several interactive CD-ROM resources. (MJP)

Presents a lesson plan for middle school students that teaches the constitutional guidelines which states must follow when deciding who may vote. Students read brief fictional scenarios involving voting rights in a school election and cast votes concerning eligibility. Later handouts discuss constitutional guidelines and voting rights. (MJP)

Presents a lesson plan for middle school students that helps them develop an understanding of the Electoral College and the role of political parties in presidential elections. After receiving related background material and handouts, students play a question-and-answer game modeled on the television show "Jeopardy." (MJP)

The primary purpose of the "Digest of Education Statistics" is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of American education from prekindergarten through graduate school. The "Digest" includes a selection of data from both government and private sources, and draws especially on the results…