This report presents a series of brief surveys of recent developments in educational method. It points to the growing conviction that many of the aids and services once regarded as mere accessories to educational method are now among its essential elements. In the first review presented herein, Maris Profitt recognizes the present widespread…

Comprehensive school reform calls for a "whole-school" and coordinated approach to improve schools. The strategy differs from piecemeal and fragmented efforts that also in the past have seemed only to lead to short-lived changes. To stimulate whole-school reform across the country, Congress appropriated funds in FY1998 for the U.S.…

Describes the art education program in Moncton, New Brunswick (Canada) from elementary school through senior high, emphasizing art as a serious discipline that demands a coherent structure, definite objectives, sequential learning skills, reasonable expectations of both product and process, a regular place in the timetable, and trained teachers…

Describes an experimental program at the University of Surrey (England) to show children that education can be enjoyable and is not necessarily the regimented, apprehensive affair from which many suffer. The existing teenage program was extended to include younger children and school-vacation day programs were added to the evening classes. (MF)

Maintains that the debate over the social studies curriculum has been heavily influenced by a small group of conservative foundations, academics, and the federal government. These groups work toward creating an ideological consensus that promotes a national identity and strives to preserve European American dominant culture. (MJP)

Advocates reconceptualizing visual arts as a core subject embodying key elements of experiential learning and critical thinking through an interdisciplinary approach. Illustrates this approach with a discussion of the interconnected issues surrounding family snapshots (social history, aesthetics, technological advancement). Discusses issues of…

Utilizes critical reaction to the book, "A Philosophy of Music Education," as a framing device to discuss feminist theory and music education philosophy. Maintains that critical criteria drawn from a specific political agenda, and applied to apolitical subjects, accomplishes little more than politicized rhetoric. (MJP)

Describes a unit on North American colonization taught in an eighth-grade history class. Profiles the students' knowledge of colonial history before and after the class through in-depth interviews. Discusses current reform movements in social studies instruction and how they relate to this unit. (MJP)

Reports a study that examined 16 educational reform networks that are used as alternative forms of teacher and school development. The results identified five shared organizational themes and five shared tensions. This paper describes educational reform networks, discusses essential elements, examines the themes and tensions, and suggests…

Reprints the 1966 article as a representative example of thinking about art education during the 1960s. Primarily answers criticisms raised by Victor D'Amico in his attack on the current state of art education, and art education research in particular. Defends this research against charges of irrelevancy and academic indulgence. (MJP)

Explores the effects of the attitudes and culture of Israeli-Jewish English-language students on their reading comprehension. Eighth-grade students read stories in Hebrew and English and answered questions both about the stories and their own attitudes. Reveals that culturally familiar texts boost reading comprehension scores. (MJP)

Discusses the role of citizenship education from the post-World War II period to the present. Finds that social studies teachers may not be providing students with participatory experiences such as community projects, even though research indicates that these activities encourage civic participation. (CFR)

Discusses the National Standards use of Bloom's Taxonomy and how it relates to increasing levels of expectations for students. Includes several examples illustrating middle school level expectations, such as distinguishing between governments with a constitution and constitutional governments. Maintains that effective civics education can offset…

Agrees with the National Standards emphasis on the constructivist approach, stressing students applying their knowledge through active involvement. Reiterates the value of workshops and seminars in keeping teachers abreast of developments. Proposes publicizing successful strategies and supporting innovations. (MJP)

Maintains that efforts aimed at the development of a European dimension to the general education curriculum offered in individual nations' schooling have increased in recent years. Asserts that the immediate goal is to provide young people with opportunities beyond their national borders. (CFR)