This essay is a response to a review by Peter Gronn of the author's book "Schooling as a Ritual Performance." It addresses general issues raised by Gronn in order to situate the review in the larger context that addresses the failure of Gronn's mode of analysis. (TE)

This essay is a response to Peter McLaren's response to the author's review of Peter McLaren's book "Schooling as a Ritual Performance." It asserts that McLaren has failed to address the three major criticisms of his book: an alleged forsaken entanglement with theory; an alleged hidden agenda; and an alleged reinforcement of dominant…

Suggests school and university intervention strategies for preventing suicides among youths, proposed following a series of teenage suicides in Minnesota: closer liaison and backup for the school counselor, peer counseling services, in-school support groups, faculty in-service on suicide, curricular introduction to coping skills and identification…

Provides information on the topics of: (1) physical education and fitness programs in the schools; (2) vital statistics on live births, marriage, divorce, and death rates in the United States; (3) AIDS in children; (4) American family trends; (5) maternal and child health care in Europe and United States; (6) early childhood prevention programs.…

To address the problem of high risk youth, policy makers must know the following: (1) trend data on risk categories; (2) what schools should do in relationship to what other agencies and institutions should do; (3) factors contributing to the success of present programs; and (4) results of past policies on behavior of risk groups. (PS)

Reviews literacy and reading achievement trends over the past century and places the current debates in a historical perspective. Concludes that upgrading literacy skills now requires new initiatives by coalitions of educators, community groups, employers, and governments. (FL)

Analyzes how traditional and liberal discourses treat the intersection of culture, power, and knowledge in fashioning a view of teaching and learning. Argues that both traditions fail as modes of critical pedagogy and that it is necessary to develop a critical discourse that embraces pedagogy as a form of cultural politics. (Author/GC)

The reconstructionists have raised a number of questions and made specific proposals for improving the process of social education as currently practiced. In particular, their ideas concerning ideology, indoctrination, relativism, and social welfare should be studied. (RM)

Two former U.S. commissioners of education discuss the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the period in United States history when education was a powerful agent of social change. (MSE)

The relationship between theory and application and the role of the university in the discovery and solution of contemporary social problems are discussed in this special issue. The social sciences must respond directly to pressing social issues. (RM)

Cites authorities in the fields of early childhood education and literacy acquisition to show the need to change the way in which children learn to read and write. (FL)

An alternative elementary school in South Dakota requires parents to sign a contract mandating one half-day per week of volunteer service to the school for each child enrolled. Such participation may include conducting lessons, preparing teaching materials, keeping records, supervising activities, and serving as teacher aides. (TE)

Although students are told about the principles of democracy, they get few chances to experience democratic participation. Analyzes five research efforts spanning 45 years which attempted to study democratic practices in schools and how such practices affect attitudes and behavior. Results indicate that democratic education is both possible and…

Reports figures indicating a rise in teenage suicide in Canada. Shows how the problem is compounded by silence resulting from official and parent reactions and social taboo. Discusses some of the causes of teenage suicide and explains the role of the school and family in suicide intervention and prevention. (SB)

Like the family, the schools may be viewed as a self-contained social system with a unique organization and unique patterns of expectations that are binding on its members. The article reviews why it is becoming increasingly difficult for the school to stand in as surrogate for the family. (MH)