In the age of accountability, there is increased pressure to deliver high-quality education in a limited time period is greater than ever before. Teachers are often left to struggle with issue of determining what knowledge is necessary, and to what depth it may be explored in the classroom. There is a need for strategies to both incorporate the…

Evidence that social studies is not taught (or taught well) on the elementary level is presented, reasons why it is not taught are offered, reasons why it should be taught are suggested, and proposals for what should be done to revive the health of elementary social studies instruction are made. (RM)

Basic characteristics of the more influential curriculum development models in social studies are discussed. For a curriculum development model to be effective, it must provide for extensive teacher involvement. The most successful school practices are those that are school-based and collaborative. (RM)

Provides personal perspectives, both from a teacher and her students, on issues of multiculturalism and diversity. Recounts a number of incidents that illustrate some of the trickier aspects of multicultural education ("How do you feel about arranged marriages?"). Concludes with a call for greater understanding and tolerance. (MJP)

Reiterates the oft-heard complaint that social studies instruction relies too heavily on textbooks and lectures resulting in disinterested and alienated students. Recommends social studies adopt more experiential and constructivist teaching methods (role playing, educational games, student projects) and utilize multimedia and the Internet. (MJP)

Reprints 11 standards for assessing quality in service learning projects from the Alliance for Service-Learning in Education Reform. Each standard provides a rationale and relevant examples. Standards include youth being involved in the planning, program requiring preparation and reflection, and project making a meaningful contribution to the…

Reviews a survey of graduating high school seniors concerning their knowledge of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidency. The results revealed that very few students had even the most rudimentary understanding of Roosevelt's accomplishments or positions. Argues that history instruction should emphasize a thorough understanding of the subject. (MJP)

Recounts the experiences of Kansas social studies educators in designing and implementing a workable assessment instrument that would meet state requirements. The design emphasized five characteristics (thematic orientation, skills emphasis, social studies perspectives, variety of resources, and community orientation) constructed around a…