These seven papers address problems of teaching about state government and politics at the secondary level and provide a framework and suggestions for improving the curriculum. The first paper analyzes the current civics curriculum and notes that textbooks underemphasize state government and overemphasize the structure and the formal procedures of…

This guide is designed to help students understand civics and government as well as the social, organizational, and technological systems that effect citizenship. It proposes use of a multimedia curriculum intended to combine the skills, knowledge, and content of civics with the workplace. The guide provides a rationale for an interdisciplinary…

Students in a poor, rural county in South Carolina worked with their community to build a new volunteer fire station, enabling many residents to get fire insurance. The project enabled students to see the relevance of education and to be seen as solutions to problems rather than as problems, generated enthusiasm among students toward the community…

Suggesting that a good character can be a child's most important safeguard against life's vicissitudes, this book for 7- to 10-year-olds with accompanying leader's guide for adults helps children understand that their choices make a difference, that every child has what it takes to be his or her best, and that learning how to strengthen character…

This document consists of a series of loosely related articles and essays each describing various aspects of the author's vision of public education in the United States in the twenty-first century. The titles of the included materials are: "Looking in on 21st Century Public School Education in America"; "Teaching/Learning in the…

This manual provides information concerning the administration of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) Pre-Enrollment Appraisal. The IRCA testing program uses the following tests, which are designed to provide an initial assessment of a student's level of English ability in the context of the history and government of the United States:…

Assessment can play a vital role in ensuring the success of citizenship education. Assessment should be an on-going process that informs about the progress and development of students. Guidelines are presented for designing and planning assessment activities, and several formats for assessment are described. Basic guidelines for assessment are…

This bulletin undertakes to provide some ideas about ways social studies teachers may become effective teachers in an Information Age. Several chapters provide practical examples of ways teachers may help young people learn skills, content, and actions needed for citizenship behavior in the future. Other chapters describe resources currently…

The 3-year Citizen Leadership Program was designed to develop citizen-directed planning in Wisconsin. The first year focused on citizen involvement in land use planning; the second year, on community goal setting; and the third year, on community development projects. A representative group of 30 citizens participated in the program's workshops…

This revised history/social science framework for grades K-12 is designed to be used as the basis for curriculum development at the local level in California. It can be used by teachers, curriculum specialists, school administrators, and local boards in other states as well. According to the framework, the central purpose of history/social science…

This booklet, which is intended for individuals involved in the delivery of service learning, provides ideas and strategies for developing or expanding service learning partnerships. The booklet begins with an overview of service learning that outlines service learning's benefits to schools, the community, and service learning partners. Discussed…

This manual provides schools with guidelines for developing leadership training that empowers American Indian students to become contributing citizens of their school and community. In November 1994, the Association of Community Tribal Schools sponsored a seminar that sought input from American Indian students regarding leadership training. This…

Court systems across the United States have become vital supporters of law-related education (LRE) in elementary and secondary schools. Judges and other court personnel have the substantive legal and procedural knowledge that students need in order to develop positive attitudes toward the law and the Constitution and understanding of the U.S.…

Success Through Accepting Responsibility (STAR) is primarily a language program, although the values have a relationship to social studies topics. Through language development the words, concepts, and skills of personal responsibility may be taught. This principal's handbook outlines a school-wide systematic approach for building a positive school…

This booklet examines the theory and practice of projects that involve secondary students in community services. Through such involvement, young people will develop positive attitudes toward community participation that will persist throughout their adult lives. Community service projects represent an important and exciting way to bring democracy…