Questions how teacher autonomy in school-based curriculum is perceived by teachers and planners in Israel's kibbutzim. Discovers that planners view teachers as primarily consumers, while teachers see themselves in the more active role of selectors and adapters. Study focused on four components of autonomy and employed questionnaires and…

Reports on a three-year ethnographic study of the visual arts curriculum in three elementary schools. Finds three distinct orientations: (1) the rote, teacher-centered orientation; (2) the open-ended, student-centered orientation; and (3) the higher order, cognitive orientation. (CFR)

Describes one teacher's evolving beliefs about teaching cultural diversity: she has moved from a traditional textbook-oriented formula for teaching U.S. history to one that uses a greater breadth of materials and resources. Student writing reflects critical thinking about and understanding of the points of view of many diverse interest groups. (JB)

Briefly explores differences between educational systems in Switzerland and the United States. Discusses 9 assumptions and 21 contradictions concerning shortcomings of compulsory public schooling in the United States. Suggests that schooling has moved away from intellectual development or skills training toward socializing students to become part…

Discusses the experiences and ideas of Anton S. Makarenko, an early influential Soviet educator known for his children's labor collective school that operated in the 1920s near Poltava. Examines Makarenko's legacy for the current educational reform movement, which emphasizes methods that combine instruction with social production and seeks ways to…

Delineates the foundations of Dmitri Kabalevskii's music curriculum for general education in the Soviet Union. Stresses teaching music as part of life itself. Bases teaching principles and methods on the song, dance, and march, termed "The Three Whales." Offers extensive lesson plans focusing on first grade music activities. (CH)

Presents seven Soviet educators' experiences with cooperation in the classroom. Emphasizes building student confidence and esteem to develop students' intrinsic motivation to learn. Examines teacher-student relationships, student evaluation, and creative teaching methods that envision teachers and students as equal partners in the educational…

Analyzes changing approaches to moral education in China from 1949 to 1989, including the Cultural Revolution. Characterizes moral education as reflecting political ideology, used for political indoctrination. Claims that moral education benefits the government and not the individual. Lists teaching principles and discusses political courses…

Addresses problems with mathematics and science curricula at both elementary and secondary levels, and calls for helping more students succeed at the physics level of the science curriculum. (PVD)

Observes that most educators agree that an essential goal of education is the development of students who are effective problem solvers. Describes Problem Based Learning (PBL) environments where students act as professionals and confront problems as they occur. Outlines the stages of PBL and provides a bibliography for further reading. (DSK)

This article summarizes the critical findings of recent research syntheses concerning intervention with students who have learning disabilities. The syntheses examined research on higher-order processing and problem- solving, reading comprehension, written expression, and grouping practices associated with improved outcomes in reading. Principles…

This article discusses provision of special education services in Botswana, mainstreaming students with disabilities, early childhood education of children with disabilities, teacher training services, teaching styles, and rehabilitation of people with disabilities in Botswana. The nine principles of the National Policy on Care for People with…

Reviews four case studies that stimulate classroom discussion of critical ethical issues faced by teachers. Avoids some of the pitfalls of the case study method by including variations for each case and by highlighting the relevant principles of perceived justice. Includes counter arguments and commentaries for each case. (MJP)

Comments on the new National Council on Economic Education standards and calls for more clarification and detail as well as additional standards. Argues that the almost-exclusive focus on principles-based standards ignores that need for explicit skill standards. Discusses possible difficulties for social studies teachers not trained in economics.…

Argues that economic literacy is necessary for an informed opinion about the factors influencing our society and government. Maintains that, currently, high school students' misinformation about economic facts and their inability to perform economic analysis puts our economy at risk. Advocates increasing objective and nonpartisan economics…