Superintendents from eight southeastern United States school districts self-described their leadership styles across the choices of autocratic, laissez-faire, democratic, situational, servant, or transformational. When faced with this array of choices, the superintendents chose with arguable equitableness, indicating that successful leaders can…

The basic paradox of citizenship education in the United States is that the first steps toward the rational, autonomous, critical-minded citizen required by a democracy are necessarily non-rational and based on an unquestioned deference to authority. The movement from the morality of authority to the morality of principle constitutes the challenge…

The purpose of this study was to find out the elementary school principals' level of practicing democratic values while managing their schools, according to teachers' perceptions. The results show that Turkish elementary principals are doing well in having democratic values in general. However, some values were more well practiced or reflected…

The purpose of this article is to present empirical evidence suggesting the potential benefits of systematically utilizing general education as the institutional foundation for an integrated, multidisciplinary learning environment expressly dedicated to the promotion of civic engagement. Recently, the authors conducted an assessment of student…

Contends that the key questions in civic education are How should people be treated? and How should disputes between people be resolved? Argues that a moral system is necessary for a civil society and that schools have a responsibility to encourage common-sense notions of ethical behavior. Includes classroom activities to illustrate this approach.…

Examines recent developments related to the teaching of values in public schools. Maintains that the character education movement supports direct teaching of a set of core values designed to foster civic virtue. Discusses the "six pillars of character" being promoted in the United States by the Character Education Partnership. (CFR)

Social responsibility is a difficult but essential aspect of being a professional educator. The contributors to this volume hope that the social policy debate within the education profession will be encouraged. The book provides practical assistance for educators in developing curriculum and instruction programs that foster creativity and critical…

Asserts that issues of equality and equity are important to teachers and school administrators. Reviews previous research and reports on interviews with students about their conceptions of fairness. Includes a table illustrating how students develop conceptions of fairness and a class survey. (CFR)

If students are to fulfill their obligations and rights as U.S. citizens they must develop the ability to make careful judgements, based on a reasoned historical perspective and a meaningful conception of the basic democratic values underlying citizenship in our constitutional order. To this end, an agenda of 12 core civic values that are…

Maintains that E. D. Hirsch's book, "Cultural Literacy," is based on an anthropological rather than a normative view of societies and, therefore, does not claim that one society is more cultured than another. Concludes that historical understanding or other forms of cultural literacy requires wider criteria of significance than Hirsch…

Contends that social studies suffers from a lack of a clear and solid foundation. Maintains that the principles, content, and practices of democracy should be considered as the foundation for social studies education. (CFR)

Contends that the end of the Cold War does not necessarily mean the triumph of democracy. Presents contemporary interpretations of the democratic concepts of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Asserts that responsible action in a democratic society requires continued reflection about values education. (CFR)

Asserts that U.S. schools and universities are in a war over multicultural education. Presents a definition of multicultural education that emphasizes learning about the self as well as others. Contends that a broad interpretation of multicultural education would be a first step toward ending the unnecessary war over this issue. (CFR)

Argues that teaching authentic civic values in schools frequently requires teaching about controversial issues. Asserts that adequate teacher preparation and continued inservice education is essential for effective instruction about contemporary social problems. Includes two model lessons and a list of organizations that offer materials for civic…

Contends that popular, or a form of alternative, education stands in the background of most efforts in human rights education in Latin America. Maintains that education must educate people as producers, citizens, and individuals. Discusses challenges to this task in light of liberation theology and the Peruvian experience. (CFR)