A new liberal arts core curriculum for the twenty-first century is proposed, including four elements: global studies, self-reliance skills, interdisciplinary thinking skills, and selected traditional studies. The approach, being tried in a number of American colleges, addresses flaws in the existing liberal arts curriculum. (MSE)

The article summarizes and comments on the publication, "A Curriculum for All," of the National Curriculum Council of the United Kingdom. Teachers of students with special needs are encouraged to follow the booklet's guidelines to ensure access to the National Curriculum. Concerns about assessment and local management of schools are…

Proposed is a three course sequence for all college students designed to raise the level of undergraduate scientific literacy. The rationale, topics to be covered, and an outline of an earth-systems course are presented. Problems in the implementation of such a sequence are discussed. (CW)

Disagrees with the current educational reform premise that John Dewey's theories dominate education. Claims the absence of theory is responsible for current problems, rather than adherence to formalistic theory. Attacks the common content thesis and claims that providing vague background knowledge is the problem. Explores the future of the social…

Describes a World Core Curriculum which applies to education of the United Nations framework for dealing with complex issues. Contends that this curriculum gives children a picture of their home and family, a sense of the time flow in which they exist, and an idea of their importance to humanity's progress. (KO)

Four goals for a Second Wave of general education reform should be: broaden existing reforms and embed them more firmly in the life of the college; engage a larger number of colleges; attract new individuals to the movement; and confront more candidly the barriers to devising, approving, and implementing reforms. (MLW)

The text of a report released by the American Council of Learned Societies is presented, covering: the contemporary view of the humanities, specialization, ideology and objectivity, method and substance, core curriculum, enrollment, teaching, responsibility, interdisciplinary centers, and recommendations. (MLW)

Discussion of an organizational change at the University of Wisconsin that merged two departments to create the Instructional Technology Center highlights staffing, including staff training and development; space and physical renovation; hardware and software acquisition; the use of multimedia; and implementing a new core curriculum. (LRW)

Europe's educational systems' curricula are diversified. The paper analyzes the concepts of technology and curriculum, discusses implications for common core curricula, and relates the framework to teachers' and students' autonomy. Discussions of the European dimension in education, trends in western European development, and ingredients of a…

A study used computer analysis to examine distribution of basic science content in the 53 cases in the problem-based medical curriculum of Rush Medical College (Illinois) and compared it to application of that content by students and faculty. The method of analysis is recommended for reviewing curricula for omissions and redundancy. (Author/MSE)

A rationale for providing an integrative curriculum for gifted students is offered, and three curriculum designs are explained: (1) correlation (in which the sequence of presentation is altered to maximize learning of interrelationships); (2) fusion (in which content and skills of several subjects are blended); and (3) core curriculum (focusing on…

Several barriers may prevent teachers from using an integrated curriculum, including insufficient preparation and an individualistic or accountability-driven school culture. A Farmington, Connecticut, middle school encourages its teachers to develop an interdisciplinary curriculum aligned with performance assessment. Teachers receive training in a…

The results of a survey sent to members of the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) asking what they believed to be the essential topics to be covered in the introductory high school biology course are provided. Interpretations of the data and recommendations are included. (KR)

Discusses the value of multicultural dance education in the core curriculum. Multicultural dance provides a means of understanding cultural differences and helps students understand and clarify their own value systems. Educators communicate values to students through their educational structures which, in dance, cross barriers of language,…

Reviews current thinking about middle school physical education and raises questions about its place in middle schools. It is suggested that physical education be integrated into the core curriculum of middle schools, and five conceptions of middle school physical education are offered. (GLR)