A historical review of antidemocratic social thinking since 1885 and its educational consequences: compulsory education managed by a central bureaucracy rather than by individuals in local communities, and a gradual "narrowing" of the definition of democracy through state-regulated mind control by schools. (SAS)

Two authors discuss contrasting methods of dropout prevention. Debates the effectiveness of coercion as opposed to positive incentives to keep students in school. (FMW)

Andrew Wright has recently criticized an article penned by the author, which suggests that no good reasons have been given why religious education should be a compulsory school subject. In this article, the author explains the two misunderstandings Wright has about his position. First, Wright characterized the author's thesis as arguing "from…

In this article, the author discusses the issues concerning selection of educational policy that leans towards educational efficiency or educational equity. The author examines whether it would be necessary to choose between the two and compares the advantages and disadvantages of these policy orientations. The author believes that equity is part…

Even as school standards rise, the on-time graduation rate remains generally stable and the proportion of the American population that has completed high school is the greatest in our history. Negative estimates are based on a lack of definitions and data discrepancies. Two strategies for increasing the graduate rate are discussed. (PS)

Arguments over student discipline tend to overlook that: most students are not at school because they choose to be. Compulsory education has not lived up to its promise. A viable alternative is to repeal coercive laws and to offer twelve years of free schooling, to be taken at any time. (KH)

Philosophical justifications for compulsory education derived from arguments for the welfare of the child, or paternalism, are examined. Dangers of paternalism are outlined, and two necessary and sufficient conditions for justified paternalistic policy up to a certain educational level are proposed and discussed. (MSE)

Provides a macrohistorical, conflict perspective on students' resistance to schooling in contemporary America. Proposes that adolescence is not a universal stage of life, but a social category produced only in industrial societies; resistance to schooling thus represents the most recent stage in the struggle between age strata over social goods.…

Presents comments concerning Lawrence A. Cremin's, "American Education: The Metropolitan Experience, 1876-1980." Robert Church characterizes this volume as providing further evidence for distrusting mass schooling. Michael B. Katz notes that the work provides insight into Cremin's political stance while Harold Silver discusses its…

Arguing in favor of the Jeffersonian ideal, this article proposes raising the point at which universal education ends and discretionary education begins. A 13-plus-3-year configuration similar to the European model might replace the current 12-plus-4 American model, perhaps with some modification. It is proposed that substantial savings could be…

Critiques arguments by Harry Brighouse for ignoring the social and political contexts that generate policies concerned with compulsory schooling and school choice. Proposes changes in educational policy that would develop structures and procedures designed to prevent already disadvantaged children from suffering further from increased school…

Describes the metamorphosis of Holt's philosophy of education and criticizes his recent advocacy for home schooling. Claims that Holt's proposals are based on a romantic conception of the private family and an unfounded pessimism about the possibility of school reform. (RDN)

This article focuses on some of the humiliating practices forced on secondary teachers--practices which discourage and drive away productive and talented individuals. Included are: presence of nonlearners in the classroom, lack of opportunity for teacher participation in decision making, and lack of esteem given teachers by the public. (KC)

Traces the history of the "compulsory-cure" model of United States education (in which students are assumed to need "curing") that is currently in use. Notes the problems caused by accepting and perpetuating this educational model. (JT)

Born in rural Tennessee, 15-year-old Billy Charles Barnett is proficient enough at hunting and fishing to support himself by teaching his survivalist skills to others. His economic well-being is threatened by required school attendance. Given the impoverished state of American education, society would not necessarily benefit from a lower dropout…