Examines how a technocratic approach to vocational curriculum limits its emancipatory potential because it is ahistorical, lacks critical reflection, and considers knowledge an objective realm of facts. Addresses the political nature of vocational curriculum development and explores alternative, democratic approaches. (SK)

Describes a heated censorship controversy experienced in 1990 in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, school district brought by fundamentalist censors against the "Impressions" reading series. Explores specific categories of complaints, such as the supernatural, folktales, and myths. Notes the influence of religion and racism. Includes an addendum of…

Considers why communications departments are not considered central to the mission of universities and makes suggestions about what can be done. Maintains that labeling of communications departments as "communications departments" is ambiguous; communications departments lack intellectual unity and are isolated; and they do not address public…

Article discusses various issues of a situated pedagogical practice by examining one teacher's experiences teaching during the U.S.-Iraq war. His course highlighted ways that cultural constructions of oppressive discourses enabled a plunge into war, looking at how and why context-specific interventions against oppression were considered and…

Argues that political commentary is excellent pedagogical raw material to help secondary students develop critical thinking. Outlines a lesson plan based on comparing the political commentaries of Rush Limbaugh and Will Rogers. Includes suggested evaluation activities, a list of annotated resources, and excerpts from the writings or statements of…

Highlights the tenth conference of the Alliance of Universities for Democracy, held in Budapest. States that members of the Alliance have been instrumental in the democratic reform of higher education in Central and Eastern Europe. Discusses the further direction higher education might take and the implications the changes hold for the global…

Contrasts two models of adult education program planning: (1) the technical rational model, which asserts that planning is rational application of decision-making processes; and (2) the political model, which views planning as negotiation of personal and organizational interests. Finds a place for both political sensitivity and technical…

Clarifies some myths that dominated the story of Boston's school desegregation since 1974 and the Judge involved (Judge Garrity). Myths include: Judge Garrity ruined an excellent school system; busing caused great disruption throughout Boston; busing created white flight from Boston; and Judge Garrity was a heartless adjudicator who cared little…

Presents propositions about the literary canon in the British National Curriculum: it betrays sacred origins, it is a social construct, its control reflects political power, it is not inevitable, and neither the unitary nor the pluralistic model is without flaws. A middle ground between centralized prescription and free for all is advocated. (SK)

Describes how a group of approximately 200 African Americans around the U.S. are serving simultaneously as elected officials and as professors or administrators at institutions of higher education. Some of these double-duty officers teach political science. This trend reflects both the rise of black scholars and the evolution of black political…

Analyzes the public and professional discourse of learning disability, arguing that medical models of literacy misdirect teaching by narrowing its focus to remediation. Considers how resurgent demands for behaviorist pedagogies make understanding their continuing appeal important to composition studies. Discusses implications for the college…

Describes recent developments in United Kingdom politics that have affected development of evidence-based policy for children. Examines the notion of "what works," leading to a suggestion that evaluators be concerned with "what is worth doing" for children. Considers robustness as a guiding principle for evaluation design and…

Discusses a British government report that defines components of citizenship education as social responsibility, community involvement, and political literacy. Presents values to be imparted through citizenship education: autonomy of action, rights with responsibilities, no authority without democracy, cosmopolitan pluralism, and philosophic…

Discusses how social identity plays a significant role in defining the nature of classroom interaction. Describes how unresolved conflict emerged when the development of authentic student voice in narrative autobiography was the primary and perhaps only objective. Presents an example of the ways in which asymmetrical power relations influence how…

Looks at a recent conversation the author had with one of her preservice literacy students. Argues that instead of being thoughtful decision makers, teachers of programs are reduced to managers, and their thinking limited to functionalist implementation of a preconceived structure. Suggests that teaching is a social practice, and as such it is…