Albert Shanker headed the American Federation of Teachers for 22 years and was president of the New York City teachers union. Both organizations were transformed by his presence. Shanker altered the politics of education and teacher unionism. During his tenure, American political life encountered the birth of social movements challenging the…

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 68 million people in the United States are under the age of 18. That's 26% of the population, who participate in school and community activities, spend more than $150 billion a year, and care about the world in which they live. However, that's also 26% of the population who cannot vote and who are supposed to…

Based on Upton Sinclair's novel "The Jungle," this lesson plan presents activities in which students make a list of books that convey strong social messages, discuss the literary strengths and weaknesses of these books, and understand how literature reflects life and can be used as a vehicle to bring about change. It includes objectives,…

Argues that effective Black Studies programs must be based on a sound and clearly articulated rationale in order to result in effective student learning, suggesting that the main goal of Black Studies should be to aid students in developing their abilities to engage in reflective decision-making. (Author/JM)

The promotion of selected student behaviors and awareness of the social construction of reality'' appear to be as severely neglected outside of the social studies as within. The directions and tools to end this aspect of educational lag are available and need only be implemented. (Author/CB)

Without new goals and novel strategies, black history will become another fleeting fad. The author offers a rationale and illustrates how black history can be taught as an integral part of a modern social studies curriculum which is spiral, conceptual, and interdisciplinary, and emphasizes decision-making and social action skills. (Author/VW)

Describes several cases in which microcomputers were used to prevent large organizations (e.g., utility companies, U.S. Government Forestry Commission) from carrying out actions considered not to be in the public's best interests. The use of the computers by social activitists in their efforts to halt environmental destruction is discussed. (EAO)

Points of agreement and disagreement with an article by Philip Wexler (in this issue) on the role of radical educators are noted. The challenge posed by the New Right is discussed, and a plea is made for further understanding of the mechanisms of ideology in educational practices, especially for the working class. (PP)

Justifications for energy education which place a high priority on energy understanding within social systems and social education are presented and classroom opportunities for teaching about the energy crisis are examined. With regard to social studies, the goals of energy education are moral sensitivity and action. (RM)

A critical theory of education, which moves the study of education away from cultural reproduction to cultural change, is discussed. The ideas of Gramsci, Trotsky, and the Frankfurt School are outlined and applied to the current cultural crises. A positive alternative to curriculum, to aid in the development of social change, is described. (CJ)

The radical critique of American education portrays the schools as perpetuators of ethnic, social, and racial inequalities because they do not alter existing class relations. John Rawls' theory of social justice is discussed as an alternative approach to this situation that remains firmly grounded in the liberal tradition. (PP)

While it is acknowledged that student financial aid has helped many students, it is suggested that unintended, latent consequences of the student aid program may keep recipients from realizing the full benefits of their educational attainment. The "cycle of poverty" and the "domination" function are discussed. (MLW)

The author examines the conduct of educational policy discussion in liberal democracies, argues that American education is undergoing a crisis, and posits that this crisis might be eased by the advent of a libertarian-technocratic society. (MJB)

Seventeenth Century Reformation leaders played an important role in establishing universal education in Germany. Their work created new opportunities for the individual, raised social conditions of countless people, and laid the foundation for modern science and learning. (Author/KC)