Discusses the conflict between educational practices and the ideal to educate students for democratic autonomy. The conflict is heightened by the fact that the work most people do exercises their education not in the form of academic skills obtained, but in the form of discipline and obedience that schools implicitly inculcate as part of their…

Reflects upon the controversy between the values of humanism and of right-wing political groups, particularly with regard to educational objectives. Suggests ways in which humanists can make their voices heard. (DB)

Describes a two-week workshop, the Federal Forum, designed to aid teachers in understanding contemporary political issues. Topics include the executive branch of government, valuing strategy and political parties, teaching models and the U.S. Supreme Court, and questioning techniques and U.S. diplomacy. (KC)

Examines the relationship of media coverage and public opinion in scientific controversy. A survey of coverage of controversies arising regarding sociobiology, water fluoridation, nuclear power and the Three Mile Island disaster indicates that the media play an active role in shaping and constructing controversy rather than just reporting it. (JMF)

Proposes family choice in education in Great Britain. The plan is to issue scholarships or vouchers to all families to be used to pay for their preferred school. The impact on educational practice and implications for political parties are discussed. (KC)

Compares 15 campaign speeches on methods of presentation. Results indicate that the dual responsibilities of appearing to speak out decisively and intelligently on issues, while focusing on images to which voters will respond favorably, are met by speeches with ambiguous content but rhetorical correlates of specificity and decisiveness. (JMF)

To illustrate what happens when a partisan political organization becomes involved in nonpartisan educational politics, this case focuses on the intervention of an urban unit of the California Democratic Council in a referendum for the establishment of a community college and the election of its board members. (Author/SJL)

The author explores the ideology of Pan-Africanism in terms of the social and economic position of Blacks in the United States. He briefly describes his visit to Africa (Senegal and Nigeria) and the effects that this experience has had in forming his political viewpoint. (MC)

Discusses current social and educational conflicts that will continue into the 1980s, including back to basics, competency-based education, tax reduction proposals, special education legislation, energy shortages, inflation, and lack of discipline in the schools. Elementary school social studies is discussed with regard to these issues. (Author/DB)

The point is made that the highest priority for improvement on all levels of education for the next quarter of a century lies in an intensified search for education's role in achieving freedom, equality, and community, and that the very highest priority should be given to the search for a viable, inclusive, and just political community. (JD)

Discusses the attitudes of Catholic and Protestant groups towards the establishment of public elementary schools in England in 1885. Describes the shift in Catholic concern from survival of religious schools to a struggle for equality and an increased share in national resources. For journal availability, see SO 505 237. (Author/DB)

The concept of relevance in the humanities is addressed by this author, who says the key is to give primacy to teaching, grounded in respect for the variety of human experience. The humanities are discussed in several social and political contexts. (Editor/LBH)

Franco-American parish priests in Vermont no longer oppose the anglicisation of the state's French-speaking population. This shift in policy helps to explain the progressive decline of Franco-American institutions in Vermont today. (Author/AM)

Argues that the most fundamental aspect of language rights is the freedom of choice to use a language for a given purpose to realize one's interests. Discusses how the legitimate interests of the state and the individual, particularly the speaker of a minority language, do not always coincide. (nine references) (Author/CK)

A poll of 1,933 voters in two counties that passed school bonds and two that did not examines voter perceptions toward school bonds. The factors linked to passage were that the number of students was growing, that most students would benefit, and that the dollar amount of the bond issue was reasonable. (SLD)