According to this author, "unchecked capitalism is destroying the nation's public schools, and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is the final nail in their coffin." He argues that, marching under the banner of "accountability," right-wing, pro-business forces are willfully undermining the democratic right of all children to a free,…

Examines presidential attitudes toward education and speculates on how a second Reagan term or a Mondale presidency would affect education. (MD)

Praises United States Secretary of Education William J. Bennett's 1986 report as a readable, provocative document that restores central importance of elementary education. Disagrees with two improvement suggestions: elimination of teaching experience for principals and disregard of class size as an important variable. Sees improved instructional…

Cricticizes use of Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores for college admission decisions. Outlines research showing redundancy of estimating potential success of entering college freshmen by the use of SAT scores, high school grades, and class rank. The statistical difference between estimates without SAT scores is minimal and does not support…

Since school busing has not desegregated schools, a plan is presented allowing students to transfer with free transportation within a school district. If this plan is not adopted, the need is cited for federal legislation that prohibits compulsory busing from placing a burden on any race. (MD)

Horace Mann's goal of creating a common school that brings our society's children together in mutual respect and common learning need not be frustrated by residential segregation and geographical separation of the haves and have-nots. Massachusetts' new common school vision boasts a Metro Program for minority students, 80 magnet schools, and…

Argues that the current trend toward abandoning teacher education comes at an inopportune time, since recent research creates opportunities for meaningful reform. Discusses findings concerning instructional and classroom management techniques and their effects on student achievement, the classroom applications of such findings, and consequent…

Presidential candidate Walter Mondale outlines his strategy for improving education. He proposes closing the skill gaps through the development of better curricula, upgrading teachers' skills, reduction of paperwork, and bolstering the teaching profession. (MD)

Examines gains and deficiencies in American education since the publication of "A Nation at Risk" in 1983. Highlights priority concerns such as dropouts and marginally skilled graduates, urges renewed commitment to curricular development and federal aid programs, outlines administrator and school board roles, and offers 12…

While many poor people of color have not really benefited from antipoverty and antidiscrimination programs, substantial gains in educational access have been achieved. Educators need to redefine objectives to improve minority children's education, focusing on language skills and character development appropriate to a diverse, multicultural…

Outlines misperceptions about equity issues relating to male and female performance in the educational system. There is evidence that female achievement is declining while male achievement levels exhibit more gains than females. This raises serious questions about the current educational experiences of females and the causes of the achievement…

Gives a brief history of Essentialism, which emphasizes basic education and seeks to eliminate peripheral activities, and analyzes its implications for the 1980s, when public education is being called upon to retrench in behalf of school quality. Offers seven steps concerned educators and citizens can take to promote school improvement. (Author/WD)

Six sets of emerging issues that could involve specific students and classroom situations are discussed here: class suspensions and due process, class rules and teacher inconsistency, classroom equality of opportunity, competency testing, classification of students, and classroom management in alternative schools. (Author)

Tackles the "floundering period" between high school graduation and noncollege-bound students' first career-entry job. Blames age, an unfavorable labor market, and disjunctions between the labor market and the school system. Describes West Germany's system of apprenticeship and part-time schooling and advocates exploiting experiential…

Continues the argument against tracking and ability grouping in schools. Traces circumstances and beliefs leading to this system of handling student diversity and shows how these factors obstruct schools' efforts to achieve two highly valued goals: academic excellence and equal opportunity. Suggests alternative approaches. (MLH)