The push for academic electives has grown over the years for many reasons. The pressure for high test scores has forced schools to focus on literacy and core content areas. The competition for entrance to four-year universities has grown, too. However, in the race to improve academic offerings and raise test scores, some schools have neglected to…

Discusses the effects of school scheduling practices upon middle school music instruction. Offers recommendations for addressing scheduling difficulties. Describes teaming and block scheduling, curriculum integration, redesigning the "exploratory wheel" scheduling technique, electives, and other scheduling options. Identifies principles of…

Presents a comprehensive plan for restructuring the intermediate grade curriculum. Emphasizes hands-on training, extracurricular activities, and vocational and physical education. Includes eight tables detailing weekly time allotted for core and elective courses throughout the grades. Emphasizes the need for active, vigorous young people to lead…

Reports on a study of the differences in economics education between private and public schools. Finds that public school students are less likely to be exposed to economic concepts prior to high school economics courses than private school students. (CFR)

An outline of the basic elements and services of the Chicago public high schools' bilingual education programs provides information to assist staff at all levels in implementing the programs. The information includes: (1) descriptions of the basic program components (core instruction in the native language, instruction in English as a second…

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy guidelines for required and elective instructional content concerning substance abuse for pharmacy students is presented. Recommended required content includes psychosocial aspects of drug use; pharmacology and toxicology; identification, intervention, and treatment of addiction; and legal issues.…

Describes the political machinations resulting in Manitoba's downgrading of Canadian history from a compulsory to an elective subject. Argues that this reflects a broader nationwide educational trend rejecting the humanities in favor of science and technology. Criticizes a view of society dominated by market forces and self-interest. (MJP)

The U.S. public high school should return to a core curriculum which is defined as a broad consensus on the basic information and skills to which most young students should have been exposed by the time they graduate from high school. The duty of educators is to teach the skills and general information that enable educated persons to continue…