Describes a Student Advisory Council which was established to address the problems of the Cottage Lane Elementary School (Blauvelt, New York) and its students. Contends that through this participatory activity, students are learning how to solve public problems. (SLM)

Reports results of a 1991 survey of high school students to determine whether student opinions about good citizenship had changed since a 1987 study. Reports that students perceived good citizenship as the ability to make wise decisions and be concerned for others. Concludes that students consider responsibility, ability to question, and moral…

Educators respond to David Mathews's article addressing the need for teaching students to be civically competent. (RM)

Outlines the six elements from educational research that enhance the value of community service programs. Summarizes three school-based programs: Community Involvement Program in Minnetonka, Minnesota; Early Adolescent Helper Program in New York, New York; and Youth Community Service in Los Angeles, California. (SLM)

Discusses a school district's plan to introduce into the curriculum civic writing activities directly linked to local history and community issues. Suggests that writing can stimulate students' civic responsibility through the academic skills of research and critical thinking. Addresses planning, implementation, assessment, and recommendations.…

Traces the legal history of the school flag movement and efforts of religious groups to have the mandatory salute abolished. Suggests that schools must educate students for true citizenship and what it means to live in a democracy. Argues that the flag should be a symbol of freedom rather than the object of empty pledges. (DK)

Asserts schools in contemporary society have lost their internal compass and reason for being. Argues primary goal of education is provide young people with common intellectual resources to participate productively, exert intellectual and political leadership, participate actively in democratic society. Argues social studies teachers must…

Reports a New York State Education Department mandated government participation course. Course requirements were to examine public policy issues and to incorporate a participatory element. Describes four programs that were implemented by school districts: Effective Participation in Government Program; The Community Service Corps; National Issues…

Outlines background information on census taking in North America, including the constitutional mandate for the U.S. census and the first census in 1790. Delineates the way that the data for the 1990 Census will be collected. Includes text of a letter written by George Washington concerning an undercount in the 1790 census. Concludes with a…

Describes instructional resources that are available through the Educational Resource Information Center (ERIC) system for teaching effective citizen participation. Materials highlight decision making, reflective thinking and civic responsibility. Includes two curriculum guides and a simulation for citizenship decision making. (SLM)

Asserts that social studies teachers must combine individual rights and responsibilities when teaching citizenship. Contends democracy depends on citizenship literacy, or citizens who understand their First Amendment rights as well as their obligations. Stresses the importance of teaching students to think critically about their role as citizens.…

Asserts that, although active citizenship is heralded as the goal of social studies, few textbook studies have attempted to define or examine civic participation. Reports on a study of the treatment of citizenship in four widely used third-grade textbooks. Finds that, although the texts are largely supportive of mainstream political values, they…

Discusses challenges facing secondary social studies teachers in attempting to develop in learning disabled students an awareness of civic rights and responsibilities. Summarizes research on adolescents with learning problems into demands of work habits, knowledge acquisition, and expression. Describes the strategies intervention model for…

Argues that concern purely with consequences is an inadequate basis for an ethical theory. Suggests that claims based on rights or standards other than the promotion of the greatest happiness be used to guide decisions. Insists that conflict among rights in no way denies their existence or their essence in determinations of distributive justice.…

Comments that the National Commission on the Social Studies report, "Charting a Course: Social Studies for the 21st Century," (1989) failed to fully explore citizenship requirements of democracy. Argues that social studies at all levels should promote student analysis of controversial public issues and develop students' understanding of…