This article reports a study that compared slow learners' attitudes toward the freedoms described in the Canadian Bill of Rights with those of vocational and academic students. As a group, slow learners in Canada scored significantly below vocational and academic students, and the scores for each group suggested only a slight libertarian bias.…

The author presents a model which he feels satisfies the demand by special educators for "concrete" and "real-life" studies and, at the same time, is in accordance with the "Guidelines for the Social Studies" as stated by the NCSS Task Force. (Editor)

Suggests that investigation of contemporary problems be included in social studies/citizenship education programs and stresses the relevance of contemporary problems to social studies curricula for slow learners. Literature pertaining to citizenship education is reviewed, and research to determine effects of a study of contemporary issues on…

A successful program was designed to increase the self-esteem of slow learners in secondary social studies classes. Aspects intended to affect self-esteem were: (1) the suitability of the method; (2) the intellectually challenging material and activities; and (3) the anticipated positive feedback from significant others. (Authors/JN)

Scores of slow learners on measures of closemindedness, critical thinking, self-esteem, and reading were found to be significantly related to their IQ scores. No relationships were found between self-esteem and reading, civil liberties and critical thinking, and self-esteem and interest in contemporary problems. (RM)

The Freedoms Scale was developed to assess the attitudes of slow learning and nonacademic secondary students in Canada toward democratic values, and, in particular, toward civil liberties. Vignettes were developed around situations describing threats to an individual or group's constitutional rights. Students were asked how they feel (e.g.,…

A project is described in which slow learning high school students in British Columbia investigated community housing problems. The objective of the project was to show how investigation of contemporary community problems can help slow learning students develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes conducive to responsible citizenship. Methodology…