Describes the life and education of Patty Smith Hill and points out her innovative contributions to the theory and practice of early childhood education. (RH)

The packaging of history, science, and most other classroom subjects lack the excitement for students that the stylish, artful presentation of items on television and in magazines contain. The world is more distracting outside of the classroom than earlier in the century, yet the instructional materials have changed little over the decades. The…

Alternative approaches to education can work well if they are based on common sense and sound research. Recent research findings are reported for alternative approaches to three areas: curriculum, testing and measurement, and instruction. (TE)

Introduces the articles in this special issue on social studies. Articles concern political socialization, economics, geography, a global perspective on social studies, ethnic studies, social change, thinking skills for citizenship training, and the integration of writing skills and social studies. (RH)

If computer technology is to effect curricular changes, then teachers must be involved in authoring software programs. The UCLA Curriculum, Computers, and Collaboration Project disclosed some generic features that encourage voluntary teacher participation. A significant factor, besides courseware evaluation and teacher training, is meaningful…

Criticizes the idea of grouping the arts together in a single curriculum. Argues that such practice further marginalizes arts education, makes it easier for administrators to cut one generic budget, and ignores the distinct characteristics of separate art forms. Cautiously supports integrated activities while adamantly condemning integrated…

Computer drawing programs have several characteristics that make them appropriate for use in early childhood education. Drawing at the computer is an activity that captures and holds children's attention. Children at all developmental levels of graphic ability can draw at the computer, and their products can be stored in a disc or printed for…

Presents an excerpted lecture given by Fred S. Keller, who discusses the nature of personalized instruction (PSI), how MIT began, and PSI experiences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Keller also comments on the implications of MIT experiences for educational reformers and provides his views on related issues. (JN)

Offers activities that foster sharing, supporting, and risk taking for teachers seeking to change instructional practice to implement the NCTM "Professional Teaching Standards." Reviews common obstacles to change, reviews individual and collective professional behaviors that support change, and makes eight recommendations to enhance the…

This report provides a rationale for making inquiry-oriented discussions a more integral part of classroom practice. It begins by identifying five features that make this type distinct from other types of discussion--focusing especially on the use of multiple texts. Then, the heart of the report explains the concepts and practices that are central…

Presents a model which merges the concepts of entrepreneurship with those of strategic planning to create a library management system. Each step of the process, including needs assessment and policy formation, strategy choice and implementation, and evaluation, is described in detail. (CLB)

A salary plan based on the supply and demand for teachers is advocated, using an index calculated each year. (MNS)

Enumerates ways in which material recorded directly from the radio (interviews, sports commentaries, etc.) and TV ("People's Court") can be used in high school to teach a wide range of English skills. (NKA)

Reviews several objections to the use of computers in the English classroom, then describes three English programs. (FL)

Describes the foundation, growth and philosophy of Teachers' Teams, an international movement of Catholic educators who view teaching in public schools as a vocation, mission and ministry. Discusses activities such as monthly meetings and conferences and defines the three steps in their approach: seeing, judging, and acting. (BCY)