Details the curricular reforms of the post-Sputnik era in American high schools, especially the national stampede to an elective curriculum in English instruction. Covers criticism of the movement and the profession's struggle to define English studies. Provides pros and cons of an elective curriculum. (HB)

Describes the author's experiences as editor of "English Journal" from 1994 to 1998. Describes the controversy and institutional pressures from above that attended her editorship, because of her devotion to publishing articles propounding widely varying views on controversial topics of heated debate within the profession. (SR)

Covers an innovative elective program, views of language and language instruction, and attitudes toward English teachers and the English curriculum. (JL)

Traces the development of the English elective curriculum from 1962 to the present. Discusses the reasons for its early popularity and for its current decline. (FL)