Part of a sequential series of curriculum units in environmental education for grades 4 through 12, this curriculum guide for grade 9 focuses on identifying problems, formulating hypotheses, considering alternatives, and making decisions in environmental education. The activities include the showing of films, making environmental decisions,…

This paper describes various ethnic communities in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area whose cultural continuity and identity are threatened by encroaching economic problems and government involvement. Each of these areas is mixed in population but has a dominant group that provides an ethos within which a stable, supportive social structure…

In the last analysis, the school curriculum is under the control of the local education authority and of the people who elect that authority. Looking ahead in the social studies field, it seems evident that social studies teachers will have to accept a task of community education in addition to their task of classroom education. Teachers will have…

In developing programs to foster purposive social change, it is imperative that program planners receive information regarding the perceptions of those in key positions and the general public concerning the major problems or issues facing a county. This report assesses the characteristics of leaders from several North Carolina counties in regard…

This hardcover report, commonly known as the Rosner Report, is based on the findings of the Committee on National Program Priorities in Teacher Education (CNPPTE). The recommendations focus on developing the necessary conditions for competency-based teacher education and certification as well as developing incentives for inservice teacher…

The primary objective of this sourcebook is to help the teacher relate causes and consequences of population change to other social and environmental issues already being explored in the classroom. Sources suggested here are for use as supplementary material to be integrated into existing curricula. Divided into main sections that cover…

Presents the perspectives of a high school librarian and a high school English teacher on the issue of censorship in their schools. (MM)

Presents five projects on student voting rights recommended for college students in U.S. government and constitutional law courses. Projects include reading the state's residency law, investigating state and local interpretation of student voting rights, researching the constitutional issues involved in voting rights, and surveying students as to…

Using Santa Barbara, California, as a case study, the relations among the election of school board members, community educational priorities, and the accomodation of social services to public demand are examined. Given enough time, it is asserted, voters' democratic control of school policy is visibly exercised. (KH)

Profiles Active Citizenship Today (ACT), a social studies service learning program for middle and high school students. In ACT, students explore their community, identify problems, examine public policy, explore their options, and take action. Includes unit excerpts from the ACT teacher's handbook. (MJP)

Briefly describes a service-learning grant program and provides examples of elementary, middle, and high school projects awarded grants in 1996. Projects included efforts to educate the community about river pollution, multicultural murals, and a school activities news show. Includes application form and general guidelines and suggestions. (MJP)

Stresses the importance of experiential educators being prepared to teach environmental education to students in specific contexts. A model for urban African American students includes the introduction and selection of a relevant local environmental issue; teaching strategies to investigate the issue; and techniques for initiating environmental…

The law mandating Chicago's (Illinois) school reform (Public Act 85-1418) is about governance and the control of education, more than it is about educational reform. Nevertheless, the law has had a positive impact; and despite their limitations, local school councils have gained insights into school processes and community involvement. (SLD)

Examines the pitfalls and obstacles of applying a professional historian's standards to the practice of writing and researching local history. These include unreliable and incomplete records as well as sponsoring agencies that prefer sanitized legends to historical accuracy. Nonetheless, praises local history as a rich resource and recommends…

Describes a study of two community colleges and ten community college administrators to determine whether federal policies had influence on these institutions. Proposes a new policy framework, based on the findings, with five dimensions: (1) federal research support; (2) federal tax laws; (3) federal student financial aid; (4) funded mandates; and…