Theorizing about teacher education and democracy is a challenging task in the year 2009. According to this author, the antidemocratic forces of the social efficiency movement have intensified with the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act, and recent activities of the Obama Department of Education have ratcheted up social efficiency's premise…

In an exploratory study of 12 teacher education programs representing various geographic regions and institutional types according to the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, this author and a colleague (Goodwin & Oyler, 2008) learned from teacher educators across the country about the many constraints they work within, the lack…

In the last 20 years, public education in the United States has been transformed under the pressures of high-stakes testing. Some argue that right wing ideologues are out to privatize the public school system in order to wring as much profit from the system as they can. Others argue that the new reforms are needed because for too long, teachers…

Discusses the scant attention that education has paid to religion historically. Suggests perceiving Christianity in its historical development as ecclesiastical, social, and personal. Observes that religious education is independent of both theology and pedagogics. Demonstrates that the discourse between pedagogics and theology must be based on…

Vermont's education system in 2006 consists of 311 schools (buildings) in Vermont and 284 school districts led by school boards that vary in size from three to 14 members, totaling over 1,300 elected school board members operating a school system that serves about 95,000 students. There is a clear delineation between the superintendent's role in a…

Highlights of the historical development of structured and creative/free dance experiences for children within the curriculum of early childhood education in the 20th century are sketched. Although some educators dissented with the practice, in the 1920s most dance activities for young children were structured. The following decade was…

Recommendations are made in this discussion concerning priorities for action by early childhood educators, and the history of early childhood education is selectively reviewed to identify patterns supporting these recommendations. It is argued that the experiences of educational pioneers reveal the need to work for program funding from a variety…

Examines the relationship between life history and religion and the relationship's implications for education. Argues that the topic is a traditional one for education. Describes research findings concerning the religious implications of autobiographical reflection and the development of meaning in life history. Concludes that religion remains a…

Discusses the history of physical education and presents ways to make physical education the renaissance field of the twenty-first century. Eight recommendations are discussed to help the field of physical education take advantage of its past accomplishments as it faces the future. (GLR)

This article, originally presented as the keynote speech at a national conference, presents the author's views regarding the field of emotional and behavioral disorders currently, a brief history of the field, what is known about students with difficult behavior, how schools respond to them, and ways to build school capacity to work with all…

The Music Performance Trust Funds (MPTF) is a national agency that sponsors live musical performances in schools, hospitals, clinics, senior citizen centers, penal institutions, and the like. In this interview a trustee for MPTF talks about the group's history and its commitment to quality performances in the schools. (RM)

United States educational history is full of uncertain reform attempts beginning with colonial New England's school reform goal of salvation in this world as a preparation for eternal life in the next. A more practical type of education characterized the Early National Period. Monitorial schools and communal schools, as in New Harmony, Indiana,…

The historical consensus seems to be that there is no one best method for teaching social studies. Rather the best is any variety of methods that a teacher finds comfortable. The literature of the history of social studies holds many useful ideas for today's teachers. (RM)

Traces the beginning and development of social studies as a curriculum area. Compares the situation and recommendations from the turn of the century with those of today. Reports that the curriculum is still dominated by history and government with geography at the elementary and junior high levels. (DK)

The growing spirit of professionalism of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is reflected in its increasing representation within the elementary, secondary, and college level sections, its involvement of teachers from all states, and its development of a unified professional voice. NCTE began in 1911, when 35 members of the English…