Traces the life and career of DeWitt Clinton, who served as mayor of New York City, governor of New York, and U.S. senator. Stresses that Clinton deeply impacted the state and nation as the founder of New York City's public schools, as an advocate of higher education for women, and as a major figure in building the Erie Canal. (NL)

A new consensus supported by the leadership of many religious and educational organizations sees the study of religion as essential if students are to be educated about the history and culture of the United States. This teaching guide is designed to accompany the 17-volume series, "Religion in American Life," aimed at young adults and…

Discusses the life and career of Lowell Mason, the first professional music educator in the United States. Explores Mason's dual career as educator and businessman. Describes his involvement in choral directing, instrumental music, public school music teaching, and music teacher training. Attributes Mason's success to his teaching skills,…

Reviews the development of the Louisville, Kentucky, public school music program from its establishment in 1844 to its suspension in 1879. Examines rationales for introducing music into the curriculum; debates over teaching methods; and choices of music curricula. Uses primary sources, including minutes and annual reports of the Louisville school…

This paper is a preliminary assessment and proposed plan of action resulting from a discussion of the state of religious history in Indiana schools. A group of teachers, professors, and administrators met informally in these discussions to identify opportunities for change. The group recognized that religion has been a major force in history, and…

During the Jim Crow era, separation of the races in public places was either required by law or permitted as a cultural norm. Public school systems across the U.S. south were typically segregated. After 1896, these schools were supposed to adhere to the separate but equal rule established by the U.S. Supreme Court in "Plessy v.…

On May 17, 1954, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren delivered the unanimous ruling in the landmark civil rights case "Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas." State-sanctioned segregation of public schools was declared a violation of the 14th Amendment and was unconstitutional. This historic decision marked the end of the…

Inquiring into families, communities, states, nations, and various peoples of the world through history engages students in the aspirations, struggles, accomplishments, and failures of real people in various aspects of their lives. The historical record is inextricably linked to the geographic setting in which it developed. The ultimate goal of…

Examines seventh and eighth grade U.S. history textbooks (seven from the 1930s, seven from the 1950s, and seven from the 1980s) to determine changes in presentation of religious content over the decades. Limits investigation to the Colonial Era 1606-73. Concludes few significant differences appeared. (SLM)

In 1951 Robert Russa Moton High School in Prince Edward County, Virginia was typical of the all-black schools in the central Virginia county. It housed twice as many students as it was built for in 1939, its teachers were paid less than teachers at the all-white high school, and it had no gymnasium, cafeteria, or auditorium with fixed seats. In…

This resource guide for teaching the African-American experience in South Carolina's public schools is designed to serve as a supplement to the "South Carolina Social Studies Curriculum Standards." Focusing on the history and culture of Africa and African-Americans within the specific context of the state's curriculum standards and…

This packet contains the Louisiana state standards-based lessons presented on the Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) series "Reaching for Results: Teacher-to-Teacher." The lessons in the packet are for high school classroom teachers and include necessary handouts and references (the video is not required), as well as detailed procedures…

Inquiring into families, communities, states, nations, and various peoples of the world through history engages students in the aspirations, struggles, accomplishments, and failures of real people in various aspects of their lives. The ultimate goal of social studies in Idaho is to develop the civic competence and civic participation of Idaho's…

Discusses history instruction in the public schools. Describes the deemphasis of history as social studies began to stress citizenship and social education. Argues that history will not regain an important place in education until historians begin to justify study of the past as a lesson in human life, wisdom, and mistakes. (DK)

These curriculum materials are intended to supplement school resources for elementary school teachers as they deliver instruction. They focus on developing an understanding about the nation's factual and philosophical heritage to promote freedom, unity, progress, and responsibility among students and citizens. The resource points out that the…