Describes the establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee on Scope and Sequence by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). Outlines the responsibilities of the Committee, the process used to formulate curriculum criteria and the resultant criteria for social studies education curriculum design. (SLM)

Disagrees with the tone and conclusions of the special section on United States-Japan relations in the November-December, 1991 issue. Contends that the national interests of the United States were ignored to avoid "Japan Bashing" over trade and other economic issues. Calls for a more realistic view of Japan's trade policies toward the…

Presents a revision of the standards for social studies teacher preparation by the National Council for the Social Studies. Discusses the selection for and continuation in social studies teacher educations of promising teachers. Suggests that program requirements include general education, social studies skills including global and multicultural…

Discusses the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child as it seeks to establish the right of children to participate in discussions and decisions about their own situations. Includes action taken by children around the world to promote participation. Stresses the necessity of participation to become responsible, active citizens in a democracy.…

Presents a scope and sequence for social studies grounded in global education. Four essential elements set the boundaries for the scope of the curriculum: (1) the study of systems; (2) the study of human values; (3) the study of persistent issues; and (4) the study of global history. Illustrates how these themes are sequenced throughout grades…

Analyzes how the testing and evaluation of social studies students can contribute to the development of participatory citizenship. Suggests that testing and other kinds of evaluation can help teachers weigh the appropriateness and effectiveness of the social studies curriculum. Includes recommendations for evaluation instruments, student…

Presents a position statement of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). Reports that the NCSS objects to ability grouping in social studies. Argues that ability grouping disadvantages minority, handicapped, and low ability students. Suggests that ability grouping undermines the democratic ideals that should be the basis of the social…

Reports on a study trip by 13 U.S. social studies educators and publishers to Japan. Compares development, marketing, and selection of textbooks in the United States and Japan. Concludes that both nations should improve textbooks and textbook selection processes. (CFR)

Provides the recommended scope and sequence for social studies from the National Council for the Social Studies Task Force on Scope and Sequence. Outlines the knowledge base and skills which undergird social studies education, and gives grade level examples of the substantive content from K-12. Offers a chart which gives optional sequences for…

Examines multicultural and global education in relation to the growing concern for equity and social justice in the social studies curriculum. Suggests that global education studies global equity, whereas multicultural education teaches national equity. Argues that both types of programs, if well-designed and implemented, can fulfill the U.N.…

Offers a thematic approach for social studies scope and sequence. Outlines 10 themes which are offered at each grade level K-12 providing the scope for the curriculum. Illustrates how higher-order thinking and inquiry can be incorporated into the program and outlines the content for grades K-12. (SLM)

Discusses recommendations for the change of social studies curricula made by the National Commission on Social Studies in the Schools (NCSSS). Suggests that classroom impact of the report will depend on who likes, who opposes, and who is apathetic to the recommendations. Argues that tradition, state control of public education, and the textbook…

Presents a National Council for the Social Studies position paper. Describes a vision of K-12 social studies teaching and learning to develop levels of social understanding and civic efficacy essential for participatory citizenship. Advocates curriculum content and teaching methods that are relevant, challenging, and active. (CFR)

Presents excerpts from "Expectations of Excellence: Curriculum Standards for Social Studies." Defines and explains 10 thematic strands that form the basis for the standards. Includes integrated content from history, geography, other social sciences, and the humanities. (CFR)

Maintains that the number of immigrants from India to the United States has risen dramatically. Asserts that the cultural gap between the immigrant parents and their children is largely the result of their school experiences. Contends that it is important that teachers understand the effects of the educational system on students from other…