The purpose of this report is to summarize the activities of the standard-setting meeting for the New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics (Grades 3-8 and High School), science (Grades 4, 8, and High School), and social studies (High School). The NYSAA standard-setting meeting was held on June 11…

Although many teachers have had an enduring and positive influence on their students, some teachers' behavior is unprofessional, contributing to youngsters' alienation and reinforcing negative public opinion about the teaching profession. This field study describes various defensive maneuvers, strategies, and pranks that teachers devised and…

This paper focuses on the "content" standards in history, geography, civics, and social studies and how social studies specialists in six Mid-western states saw the standards being used in their states as of spring 1998. The data gathered came from the use of a Q-sort deck of 21 cards with statements regarding the standards and…

One consequence of school-university collaboration can be the impact of a school and specifically a social studies department on the university's teacher candidates. After seven years and the placement of 36 students, the teachers in the social studies department at Woodford County High School in central Kentucky wondered about their long-term…

Twenty-nine helpful hints for "happy teaching" are suggested as part of a program of social studies teacher preparation. Intended particularly for use by teacher educators in small liberal arts colleges, the paper groups recommendations in the following categories: (1) securing the cooperation and participation of the social science departments…

Examination of the experience of the Alabama Social Studies Council in diffusing instructional material can provide insight into the proper diffusion role of state councils and into the effectiveness of diffusion efforts. Factors which affect diffusion efforts include the nature and composition of the social studies council, the mandated course of…

The symposium report focuses on effects of state curriculum mandates on the social studies curriculum. Part of a larger study designed to examine the effect of state law on the introduction and implementation of law-related education, the report is presented in two sections. Section I analyzes social studies mandates in the 50 states. Five…