Suggesting that the United States' dominant form of literacy is contingent and historical, not permanent and absolute, this book asserts that when a society changes its definition of literacy, it also changes its models of mind and its models for teaching English. The book challenges the assumption that the public schools are a failure, arguing…

Three events in U.S. teacher education are discussed: the founding of the first state supported normal school in Massachusetts in 1839, the founding of Western Carolina University in 1889 (Cullowee, North Carolina), and the announcement by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) in 1989 of guidelines for national…

This review of the role of music in public education in the United States begins with an account of the early developments of music education, and traces this role and its transformation throughout U.S. history. At first none of the arts constituted a substantial part of the materials of public pupil education. Music did not become part of the…

This collection of seven papers focused on the topic citizenship as a part of social studies education. The titles of the papers are: "Old Glory, the Constitution, and Responsible Americanism: Elementary School Citizenship Education During World War II" (Sherry L. Field); "Shaping Model Citizens through Rituals of Good Manners: Examples from…

Presents a history of American board games, describes the conception and manufacture of board games, and evaluates trends in types of games which were popular from 1832-1904. The conclusion is that American board games were a major source of cultural transmission and played a significant role in socializing youth. (Author/DB)

Because past educational reform movements were stimulated by events not directly related to schools, the movements' leaders have lacked dependable information about schools' actual effectiveness. This article faults past commissions for their omissions and impractical solutions. Real school improvement happens when school staff and parents…

The credentialist thesis is applied to high school graduation requirements by tracing their transformation according to societal demand. Because of demands for further education and academic excellence, secondary education presently occupies a modest position in American status aspirations and has encumbered its curricula with unrestricted…

Discusses problems related to defining environmental education (EE), examining historical attempts to define EE and EE's forerunners and/or concurrent companions (including resource-use, progressive resource management, and population education). Indicates that although unanimity of agreement results from problems of communication and "turf…

The Music Performance Trust Funds (MPTF) is a national agency that sponsors live musical performances in schools, hospitals, clinics, senior citizen centers, penal institutions, and the like. In this interview a trustee for MPTF talks about the group's history and its commitment to quality performances in the schools. (RM)

This study examines the management practice of the libraries of the University of Maryland from October 1996 to spring 1999. The historical dimension focuses on the implementation of the recommendations of internal communication proposals and proposals for service organization changes. The promised move to shared governance is outlined, especially…

Suggests that a primary value of a history of science course is that it provides the student with a more profound understanding than obtained from science courses alone. However, the course should also instruct in the craft of history and communicate the role of history in shaping current thought and institutions. (KC)

Describes the aim of the American Economic Association (AEA) to educate the public about economic questions and economic literature. Discusses conferences, publications, and the work of the AEA in developing economics, statistics, and reasoning as important parts of a general curriculum. Includes information on teacher training programs, advanced…

Explores the role of women in eighteenth-century Germany's University of Halle. Reports that the school admitted both male and female students. Explains that the university's central principle, the conquest of the world through personal effort, was viewed as well suited to women, who had not been tainted by academic tradition. (SG)

Supplies a list of important dates and events in the development of social studies as an educational discipline. Focuses on the social studies prototype and the foundations of the field before the 1916 report by the Committee on the Social Studies. Includes details about significant organizations, individuals, publications, and reports. (DK)

Explores the modern history of homework, beginning with its origins in eighteenth-century England. Discusses early educational reformers' resistance to homework. Reports that former Soviet space advances spurred a U.S. reexamination of homework through the 1960s and 1970s. Examines the contemporary view of homework as an inexpensive means of…