Approaches critical thinking as a socially constructed orientation embedded in collective histories, asking how social conditions and cultural representations may foster critical thinking. Examines the work of Vygotsky and Gramsci, suggesting that concepts forged in literate or academic traditions are the basis for critical thinkings. Also…

Gonzalez-Gaudiano abandoned a professorship at the National Autonomous University of Mexico to tackle environmental education and indigenous education. In this interview, he explains the politics of overpopulation; the unsustainable nature of capitalism; and the interrelationships between environmental justice and human security and among poverty,…

Reviews three books that (1) provide a systemic overview of schooling in Mexico in the 20th century, (2) present a critical ethnography of Mexican student culture and identity formation, and (3) incorporate analyses of indigenous cultural practices into cognitive theory. Reflects on the future of Mexican education in view of political corruption…

Examines the question of why the Mexican Federal Government decided to decentralize the national system of education, going against Mexican historical trends towards centralization. Discusses five possible answers to this question, suggesting that perhaps the "shallow" structures of education are being decentralized in order to…

This booklet discusses a program to strengthen the civic qualities of Mexican citizens in order to respond to Mexico's present and future challenges. The booklet enumerates the current situation, pinpointing indicators that show the Mexican government's need for attention: the nature of the Mexican political system does not support active…

U.S.-Canadian and Mexican water-related issues testify to the role that natural resources/ environmental issues play in foreign policy and demonstrate how environmental problems can affect the public and private sectors of a nation internally. How people affect the environment is an irreducible bottom line for stable international trade and market…

One of a series of booklets on world issues, this five-part document presents information about Mexico. Part one examines Mexican history from Cortez to Madero. Emphasis is placed on the revolution era (1910-1920) and the creation of two political parties: the Partido de la Revolucion Mexicana (Mexican Revolutionary Party or PRM) and the Partido…

Using a sociocultural framework, this article describes the importance of mediated learning and the difference between theoretical and empirical learning for developing scientific literacy. Components of scientific literacy are identified and a conceptual model adapted from ethnomathematics is used to demonstrate effects of theoretical learning on…

This guide accompanies one of a pair of videocases depicting educational life in Deming, New Mexico. The videocase includes 28 minutes of unstaged but edited videotape footage of teaching and learning in and around junior high and mid-high schools in Deming. The first section of the guide, "Teaching Note" (Todd Kent) contains a…

Reproduced here are the text of the 1982 Supreme Court decision "Plyler v. Doe" and its companion cases, "In Re Alien Children Litigation." An introductory statement explains that in this opinion the Court struck down a Texas law prohibiting tuition-free education for children of illegal aliens, on the grounds that education…

Looks at education in American Foundation Schools in Mexico and finds teacher-student interaction similar to that found in American schools between teachers and Black, inner city students. (FL)

This paper consists of preliminary notes for a lecture on the commonalities between the history of constitution-making in the Republic of Mexico and the United States. The paper discusses the first Mexican Constitution of 1824 and notes that Mexico has had many different constitutions. It also notes that, despite the U.S. and Mexican shared…

This article reviews the book "Helping Individuals with Disabilities and Their Families: Mexican and U.S. Perspectives," edited by Todd V. Fletcher and Candace S. Bos (1999). An interview with Todd V. Fletcher is presented in which he discusses the importance of U.S. understanding and collaboration with Mexico. (CR)

Reviews and evaluates a case which arose over an attempt to deny undocumented immigrant children access to public education. Social, political, and educational issues pertinent to the case are considered. Provides social and demographic data from a sample of parents of undocumented children while analyzing the international ramifications of the…

This report describes economic, social, and political characteristics of the lower Rio Grande Valley with implications for the educational system, and presents preliminary findings on how south Texas schools are integrating new immigrant Mexican students. The lower Rio Grande Valley comprises four Texas counties and northern Tamaulipas, Mexico.…