Thousands of educators are using America's most important historic documents to help students learn the story of their nation and its citizens, thanks to the Our Documents initiative. This was one of the main objectives of Our Documents, which is part of the "National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service," launched by President…

This study describes the civic and political behavior of the American public, with a special focus on youth ages 15 to 25. Using an extensive national telephone survey of 3,246 respondents, the authors describe what citizens are doing, and how often they are doing it. They look at a panorama of 19 core activities--ranging from voting to…

Presents a lesson plan designed to increase students' participation in the electoral process and help them to create their own political opinions. Students examine political advertisements, candidate debates, and political cartoons. Includes tips on "How to get the most out of a debate" and suggested further activities. (MJP)

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This October 15, 2004 issue of "Chronicle of Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "Why Can't Young Scholars Write Their Second Books First" (Garber,…

First published in 2002, "Key Facts about Higher Education in Washington" provides valuable information on the ways higher education serves the state and its people. The most current data and information available is presented throughout this report to highlight the "Key Facts" about Washington's postsecondary institutions,…

This compilation of four journal issues on gifted education in California focuses on the following topics: (1) literacy for the 21st century; (2) technology; (3) reflections on gifted education; and (4) politics. Major articles include: "English Language Arts in California's Schools: A New Beginning" (Diane Levin and Catherine Barkett);…

Designed for use in the intermediate grades, this interdisciplinary unit helps students examine traditional and modern roles of women. Fourteen lessons focus on women's activities in colonial America, reasons for women's discontent, the women's rights movement of the 1800's, changes in the roles of women, enfranchisement of women, women's role…

Intended to encourage young people to take part in the dialogue about nuclear weapons and become active on nuclear issues, this guide talks about nuclear weapons and what people can do to stop the threat of nuclear war. There are two major sections. The first section, "The Problem," contains background readings on nuclear issues.…

According to the 1980 census, one in every nine Americans is over the age of 65. The segment of the population made up of individuals over the age of 65 continues to grow faster than that comprised of individuals under the age of 65. While older people continue to have about half the income of their younger counterparts, the elderly tend to have…

Designed for youth workers, teachers, counselors, and student organizers, 11 essays in this handbook examine issues concerned with children's rights. "Children's Rights and Social Work" proposes that social workers can speed and direct the process of change by advocating the rights of young people and by providing services to make those rights a…

Presents a collection of articles that offer information on such issues as the progress of black student matriculations at the highest-ranking U.S. colleges; black historians teaching black history; Blacks in academic accounting; banishing the stereotype that African Americans cannot do mathematics; campus crime rates at black colleges; and the…

The purpose of this handbook is to inform American Indians about their basic rights under Federal law both on and off reservations. There is a discussion of the freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. The next section deals with equal treatment, unlawful arrest and detention, unlawful searches and seizures, and what to do when…

The survey reviews recent research on political behavior in Japan and describes the nature and institutional setting of political science in Japan. Political science is regarded as a small academic discipline which is frequently an adjunct to another academic department within a university. Political scientists in Japan have exhibited less…

What do Matthew Brady, Carrie Chapman Catt, Ansel Adams, Orson Welles, and J. Howard Miller have to do with the 100 milestone documents? A few hints: Matthew Brady created the first photographic documentation of a war. Carrie Chapman Catt was the president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association in 1920. Orson Welles produced plays for…

Provides a lesson for middle school students, examining the expansion and contraction of civil rights in response to sociopolitical developments. Suggests that students review voting rights extensions and analyze case studies involving students' freedom of speech. Lists topics for student research on a variety of free speech issues. (CH)