Young gifted children can become passionately interested in social justice. It makes sense that children who are astutely aware their own differences could and would become interested in the well-being of others. It seems that preschool programs have been slow to recognize the value of service-learning to their students, but Freeman and King…

The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "Education Policy." Contents include: (1) Texas Legislature Concentrates on…

"Digital Play for Global Citizens" is an introduction to how educators and parents can use a multitude of innovative technology tools to help their students and children learn about, understand, and engage with our increasingly interconnected world. Educating students to become "macro-minded" (habits of mind that are associated…

This guide is a list of tools that can be used in continued implementation of strong programming powered by Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies. This curated resource pulls from across the landscape of policy, research and practice, with a description of each tool gathered directly from its website.

This brochure provides information about the values and skills that make up character and good citizenship and what parents can do to help their child develop strong character. It suggests activities that parents and school-aged children can do to put those values to work in their daily lives and tips for working with teachers and schools to…

This booklet provides information about the values and skills that make up character and good citizenship and what parents can do to help their children develop strong character. It suggests activities that parents and school-aged children can do to put those values to work in their daily lives and tips for working with teachers and schools to…

One side of character education is to create schools and communities that are caring, civil, and challenging (both academically and behaviorally). The other side is to develop young citizens who are smart, decent, and responsible. This booklet illustrates how to use newspaper content at school and at home to teach eight specific values: respect,…

Parents generally want their children to grow up to be responsible citizens and free thinking individuals who learn to feel, think, and act with respect for themselves and for other people. This booklet provides information about the values and skills that make up character and good citizenship and what parents can do to help their children…

Suggests how parents can help their children learn to be good and productive citizens, explaining why it is important and offering six ways to get started: listen to one's children and explore their interests, learn more about the cause one's children care about, participate, partner, be a leader, celebrate the good results of family stewardship…

Education for citizenship has the teaching of social and moral education, community involvement and political literacy at its core. Perhaps more than any other curriculum area, the influence of the home is significant, yet little is known of the extent to which parents support the teaching of citizenship. This paper presents the findings from a…

"The Complete Guide to Service Learning" is the go-to resource in the fast-growing field of service learning. It is an award-winning treasury of service activities, community service project ideas, quotes, reflections, and resources that can help teachers and youth workers engage young hearts and minds in reaching out and giving back. Author, and…

This highly acclaimed volume in the "Defending Public Schools" series is now available in paperback from Teachers College Press. It is a practical, necessary addition to the work of administrators, teachers, policymakers, and parents as they negotiate the difficult path of how to best teach and educate today's children and youth. This…

Service learning can improve communities while preparing students for a lifetime of responsible citizenship. It helps students learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized services that occur in and meet the needs of communities. Volunteering at a young age can lay the foundation for a lifelong commitment to community…

Discusses the importance of students learning to make a difference in the community. Until recently, young people had many real responsibilities, but now, such opportunities do not occur naturally. The article examines what parents and schools can do to encourage youth service in the home, school, and community. (SM)

To gauge the civic knowledge and skills of the nation's 4th-, 8th-, and 12th-grade students, an assessment has been scheduled for 2006 by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). This assessment will enable NAEP to report on trends in civics achievement from 1998 to 2006. The National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB), NAEP's…