In the 1960's Max Rafferty, a conservative California teacher, principal, and superintendent of public instruction, expressed many ideas which the New Right has been able to put into effect in the 1980's. The influence of political and religious conservatives is seen in movements for public school prayer; advancing private over public education…

Nationwide surveys were administered to public administrators and librarians at the building and district levels in public elementary and secondary schools, and mail and phone surveys of textbook officers in the 22 states with statewide adoption procedures, to gather data on challenges to library and instructional materials. Specific information…

This paper gives a brief history of the Reverend Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority campaign against humanism in public school education. The document describes the successful textbook evaluation strategies of Mel and Norma Gabler of Texas, on which Dr. Falwell relies heavily, and lists 20 organizations protesting textbooks, library books, and…

Describes McCloud's efforts to improve coverage of the Vietnam War in the junior high school curriculum. Presents answers to the question "What do you think are the most important things for today's junior high students to understand about the Vietnam War?" from people such as Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Tom Hayden, and Robert S.…

Discusses some of the problems associated with the differences between facts and values, particularly when dealing with environmental issues. Argues that, as people learn more facts about the environment, they acquire more of an ecological world view, resulting in a broader consensus on issues and environmental policy. (TW)

Presents a secondary level teaching unit on the role of rogues and entrepreneurs in Indiana and Florida from World War I through the 1920s. The unit helps students recognize the continuing struggle to maintain basic constitutional freedoms, particularly freedom of speech and religion. Discusses ways to develop the unit and includes a list of…

An increasing number of Americans are waking up to the horror of apartheid, South Africa's system of racial domination. How Americans can promote political freedom and economic justice in South America and yet minimize the bloodshed is discussed. (RM)

The need for nuclear education is examined, issues that should be dealt with in the classroom are discussed, and curriculum materials are described. The controversy that has arisen concerning the curriculum material "Choices: A Unit on Conflict and Nuclear War" is discussed. Implications for teacher education are examined. (RM)

Assesses extent and nature of cutss made in the version of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" used in a 1980 Harcourt, Brace and World anthology. Suggests that rather than serving to shorten or clarify the play as claimed by the editor, cuts were actually made to clean up the text and eliminate any passages with a sexual connotation. (RBW)

The September 11, 2001 attack on the United States and the killing of thousands of innocent people mark the end of one world and the beginning of another for many. For the United States, global issues became personalized. This resource guide seeks to place terrorism in the context of world affairs, in the belief that students need to know how to…

The Japanese-American internment experience during World War II continues to affect the Japanese-American community. This ERIC Digest provides six suggestions for teaching about the Japanese-American internment, touching on civil rights, immigration, the media, "loyalty," redress and reparations, and primary and secondary sources.…

Describes four components of a packet of materials designed for small-group discussions on alphafetoprotein (AFP) screening for neural tube defects. Components consist of instructional guidelines for group leader, informational packet on AFP, list of specific discussion questions, and student evaluation form. Copies of these materials are…

A three-part questionnaire was used to assess degree of emphasis given to values education in college biology. In addition to demographic data, the questionnaire, mailed to 377 biologists (185 forms returned), included items focusing on the significance of ethical issues and when life-science related values are best introduced to students. (JN)

Issues teachers should consider before introducing the subject of nuclear arms into classroom teaching are raised, and tips for dealing with this sensitive subject are given. Sources of curriculum materials are listed, and problems with prepackaged curricula are pointed out. (PP)

Discusses the interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary nature of the BSCS Human Sciences Program and problems associated with the development, dissemination, and use of such curricula. Poses a series of questions related to these problems and discusses influences of single-issues pressure groups on science teaching. (JN)