Videodiscs have much to offer in developing the school curriculum, but teachers must use definite criteria in planning teaching-learning situations that will enable students to achieve on an individual basis. Thus, students should find meaning, interest, purpose, provision for individual differences, and a balance among objectives in their…

This report presents the results of a needs assessment study on comprehensive drug education conducted for a small rural K-8 school. A brief review examines the literature on drug and alcohol abuse among rural youth. Parents, teachers, and students were surveyed to assess their needs, interests, and knowledge of drug and alcohol abuse. Twenty…

Economics education in elementary and secondary schools is essential in order to prepare a responsible citizenry that can cope with economic problems and issues. This ERIC Digest examines: (1) the primary goal of economics education; (2) current economics curriculum patterns; and (3) methods of improving the economics curriculum. The basic…

The literature on vocational education indicates a number of factors that have shaped the need for a change in the vocational education system. These factors include Japanese industrial pressure and philosophy, technological advancements, a shortage of skilled workers, and a mismatch between available jobs and trained workers. Suggestions to…

A review of arguments for and against including business ethics courses in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) curriculum reveals strongly opposing views. Those favoring business ethics courses argue that such courses teach a way to approach and think through a problem and provide a framework for judging behavior, that the university must…

The effect of television on children is in part a reflection of the effect of current schooling practices, so that the simplicity of television is a reflection of the discontinuity and incoherence of modern schooling practices. This state of affairs in schooling is due to several factors: (1) efforts to make schooling less stuffy and mechanical…

Labor studies are often not included or underemphasized in the elementary and secondary school curricula. This ERIC Digest examines major themes of labor studies; inclusion of these themes in the curriculum; likely positive outcomes of labor studies in the curriculum; and available resources for teachers and students. Key historical events, the…

This scope and sequence document for Oregon schools' social studies curriculum adopts the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Task Force on Scope and Sequence publication as a guideline and is organized by kindergarten through eighth grades and by the required high school courses of U.S. history, economics, government, and global…

This paper explores some possible productive links between ecology and education, with particular reference to the ethical position described by the term "deep ecology" and to empirical research in perceptual psychology that has led to the formation of ecological theories of perception. It is suggested that these ecological understandings support…

A study examined whether a writing style called "dialogue writing" would allow children to use conversational cues to write longer papers in the same amount of time as free writing. Subjects were 54 sixth graders (about 12 years old) in 3 classrooms in rural neighborhoods--one class consisted of children with learning difficulties.…

These two curriculum guides are part of a series intended to serve as a model to aid school districts as they develop and review their own curriculum documents. The guides represent a synthesis of input from many sources, both Alaskan and national. Each guide lists topics/concepts, learning outcomes, and sample learning objectives in three…

Physical education guidelines are presented for Alberta, Canada secondary school students. Sections discuss program rationale and philosophy, focusing on a student-centered instructional philosophy that fosters self-initiated participation in developing healthy lifestyles, goals, learner outcomes, content, exemptions, requirements, and resources.…

To assist school district personnel in planning and developing curriculums, this handbook describes and explains a 10-step process and provides supporting examples, checklists, and references. A brief introduction suggests how to use the handbook. Each of the 10 following sections then presents one step, explains its substeps, and offers a…

Intended for use in conjunction with the "Statement of Standards for Reading Instruction," this checklist-rating scale provides guidance for reviewing school reading programs, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Following an introduction, the guide discusses the mechanics of using the checklist-rating scale, then provides the response sheet and…

A writing across the curriculum project at Trumbull High School (Connecticut) is based on a cross section of English, science, and career education courses: advanced composition, science fiction, physics, chemistry, biology, and vocational agriculture. It focuses on writing as a mode of learning; extending and refining the students' processes of…