A sex education program in Kentucky's Jefferson County schools, although mandated by the state, was challenged by a small group of parents and virtually disappeared. Later, helped by newspaper articles and recognized organizations, the program is gradually being reinstated. (MLF)

Maintains that in order for students to participate effectively in a democracy they must be exposed to different viewpoints. Shows that high school history textbooks avoid controversy, leave out vital information, and are biased. Argues textbooks should be subject to a fairness test that includes constitutional scrutiny. (RW)

Responses from six engineering professors to a previous article about teaching engineering ethics are presented. Programs at several schools are described. The need to teach ethics to engineering students is reinforced. (CW)

Provides the text of a newspaper account on drug abuse in a North Philadelphia Puerto Rican community. Focuses on the effect this illegal activity has on the lives of neighborhood residents. (LS)

Contends that the problems approach is new to most teachers and is at odds with the dominant curricular trend that includes reliance on textbooks and content-oriented courses. Concludes that there is a formidable set of forces opposing the implementation of such a curriculum. (SLM)

Reports survey results which questioned biology teachers concerning evolution. Data from the surveys suggest that a majority of biology teachers moderately stress evolution and that most have worked out an effective accommodation between their teaching responsibilities, their own philosophy, and the mores of the community. (KO)

Presents several components of current events instruction for the elementary classroom. These serve as criteria for teachers to diagnose their lessons. Describes three classroom scenarios and analyzes the effectiveness of current events instruction in each. Models offered for designing classroom instruction are value analysis, decision making, and…

Offers seven recommendations for teaching critical thinking skills. (MS)

Statements taken from the audiotape "South Africa: The Other Side of the Story" are used to stimulate students' critical thinking about the South African apartheid government. The lesson plan includes analyses of the statements as a teacher resource. (GEA)

Integrating debate on controversial topics into the syllabus enriches learners' interaction with the Spanish language and stimulates intermediate students to express themselves in Spanish. This article lists some practical suggestions for setting up debates as well as criteria for evaluating them. (Author/CK)

Recent statistics concerning teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases are compelling reasons for reaching kids before they become sexually active. Comprehensive K-12 programs are essential, despite conflicts over abstinence, "abstinence-but," and safer sex approaches. Adverse program criticism can be diffused if administrators…

The development and responsibilities of the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) are discussed. Ways in which teachers can use the OTA, especially as a starting point for issues-oriented design work are suggested. Examples of publications from OTA are described. (KR)

Provides brief arguments for and against the use of animals in research and education. A survey was conducted of 200 students to seek answers to the following questions: How do students feel about the dissection of animals in life science classes?; and Do students feel they would learn as much biology without laboratory animal investigations?…

The Board of Governors of the University of Colorado at Boulder has turned down the promotion of an associate professor of English who specializes in study of erotic literature and obscenity. Critics call the ruling a breech of both academic freedom and faculty governance. (MSE)

Many assert that the use of animals for dissections in the secondary and undergraduate class is unnecessary. This article describes a study conducted to compare the attitudes and achievement of students who use interactive methods instead of conventional dissection. (ZWH)