Education leaders are re-examining acceptable use policies in light of the increasing use of highly mobile information technologies. While acceptable use policies were developed to manage and control behaviour, a digital citizenship policy takes a more comprehensive approach by recognizing the important role of education in preparing digital…

This booklet explores the question of what the role and task of schools should be in facing the changes underway in educational systems throughout Europe. The school's tasks always been that of teaching, educating and preparing children for life in society. Ethical and moral standards has been seen as part of that task. This area is also very…

If students are to fulfill their obligations and rights as U.S. citizens they must develop the ability to make careful judgements, based on a reasoned historical perspective and a meaningful conception of the basic democratic values underlying citizenship in our constitutional order. To this end, an agenda of 12 core civic values that are…

Critiques the recommendations proposed by the Bradley Commission on History in Schools' report on the state of history in the schools. Maintains that the recommendations are too narrowly centered, and points out that few members of the commission were from the public schools. Challenges the supposition that more history leads to good citizens. (RW)

The basic paradox of citizenship education in the United States is that the first steps toward the rational, autonomous, critical-minded citizen required by a democracy are necessarily non-rational and based on an unquestioned deference to authority. The movement from the morality of authority to the morality of principle constitutes the challenge…

Asserts that, for citizens in a democracy to understand and act upon complex societal issues, they must be able to integrate knowledge from a variety of subjects. Traces the history of interdisciplinary social studies education and examines arguments of its supporters and detractors. (CFR)

Citizenship is complex and involves more than academic knowledge and skills. Effective citizenship education should prepare young people in three areas: civic literacy, civic virtues, and civically-engaged behaviors. This publication describes the connection between civic education and service learning, and provides lists of references, web…

Discusses studies done on science/technology/society (STS) education and lessons that may be drawn for teachers. Maintains that issue investigation and action-based units focusing on locally relevant and student-relevant issues are clearly supported and encouraged by STS research. (DB)

Education is the foundation of democracy. As such it must work for all young people. Yet far too often young people disengage from learning and do not reach their full, human potential. Community schools--places where partners come together to offer a range of supports and opportunities for children, youth, families, and communities before,…

Informed observers, from the political right to the left, believe that citizen education requires reform. While its effects on public life may be unclear, democratic theory insists that education is required as a condition of democracy itself. Most often, students are given information about the founding of the government, its structure, and due…

Maintains that citizenship education is at the center of social studies instruction. Asserts that citizenship responsibilities can be taught in the K-12 classroom. Presents three case studies of teachers using classroom techniques to improve student's support for democratic values. (CFR)

Discusses the potential impact that the America 2000 reform effort might have on social studies and citizenship education. Argues that the preoccupation of America 2000 and the business community is short-sighted. Calls for social studies educators to recommit themselves. (CF)

Argues that it is impossible to teach U.S. history without discussing how law influences economic and social behavior. Examines five ideas associated with political science through six chronological periods of U.S. history. Includes an annotated bibliography linked to the political ideas and historical periods. (CFR)

This document discusses the movement to bring original historical sources into the classroom. Because students of history need access to sources of information that provide direct or primary evidence about reality, teachers must show that realistic alternatives to the traditional history text exist. In the first section of this paper, efforts to…

This paper contends that the issues of constitutional government debated during the founding of the United States should be in the core curriculum of any school that seeks to educate students to become responsible citizens of a constitutional democracy. For purposes of teaching students, the issues debated by founding-era political thinkers can be…