Discusses the tendency in the United States to blame either Japanese business or the educational system for the economic woes of the United States. Argues that, instead of choosing scapegoats, the United States should focus on solving social problems. Suggest that social studies teachers work to help students overcome prejudice toward the…

An education futurist discusses who are the consumers of Canada's education and training system, what individuals need from Canada's formal education and training system, how consumers might characterize a preferred system of education and training, what a consumer-based education and training system would look like, and what a knowledge-based…

Asserts that it is infeasible for teachers to use diverse styles of teaching and successfully educate their students. States that the arguments for diverse styles are very appealing, but it is impossible for teachers to implement all four models or the three approaches to teaching whether in alternation or in combination. (CMK)

Focusing on the social forces acting upon community colleges, this paper reviews possible modes of response by the colleges, focusing specifically on the role of institutional research. The first section presents an overview of the social forces affecting community colleges, discussing the 16% increase in two-year college enrollments in the…

This paper discusses the transformation of the university ideal, as envisioned by Wilhelm von Humbolt, from cooperation between science and practical application (Lehre und Leben) and the belief in education and upbringing to a belief in material progress. The paper explores Humboldt's idea of a university, and to what extent it is or is not being…

In the teacher education field, each school, college, department of education (SCDE), school district, education professor, and professional teacher organization operates as an unrelated entity. There is a lack of any coherent direction to the reforms that are currently under consideration, and an absence of a unified voice for or about teacher…

This position paper presents arguments countering the proposed closing of select small schools--particularly one geographically isolated school--in Randolph County, West Virginia. The first section briefly summarizes the county board of education's plan and rationale for school consolidation and the concerns of residents opposed to the school…

The extent to which U.S. colleges and universities contribute to the fulfillment of students' lives is discussed by Secretary of Education William Bennett in an address to Harvard University. Secretary Bennett's observations are based on his experiences as a law student, freshman proctor, and tutor at Harvard University, as well as his subsequent…

The topic of assessment is addressed in three papers from the 1987 national conference on assessment in higher education. In "Assessing Content and Process: Challenges for the New Assessments," Lee S. Shulman considers the ongoing debates about assessment that revolve around the question of what is worth assessing. Attention is focused…

The fifth of eight related documents, this booklet is part of a series of papers presented at the 1978 National Right to Read Conference examining issues and problems in literacy. In examining the issue of student accountability, this booklet first sets forth the prototypical case of pupil illiteracy and surveys the arguments that can be made for…

Within the last five years there has been a great deal of change in the role of technology in the schools. The advent of microcomputers has had an impact on instructional techniques as has the development of interactive graphics and animation, and other technologies such as videodisc and micronet. Teacher educators face the responsibility of…

The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) provides an example of the kind of growth and differentiation that should characterize schools of education. Since 1920, HGSE has undergone a series of metamorphoses and has undertaken new and crucial commitments. The school has emerged from the turbulent 1970s with a more diverse student body, a…

A rational approach to increasing the quality of infant caregiving environments requires knowledge of the interrelationships among three major aspects of caregiving: the adult, the infant and the environment in which care is provided. This presentation focuses on desired traits of caregivers and on the needs of infants. In addition to warm…

Forty papers and responses from the 1979 annual meeting of the Philosophy of Education Society are reproduced in unabridged form, including the papers from both general and concurrent sessions. The Presidential Address discusses the concept of rational thinking. (JD)

In countries other than Canada, schools are used to accomplish four goals: manpower development (to develop skills needed to implement national policies); cultural survival (to prevent the loss of indigenous culture or language); social priorities (to accomplish social goals); and political purposes (to disseminate propaganda). In Canada, the…