Responding to articles in the February 1997 "Educational Leadership" on "Rethinking the Purpose of Education," this article deplores worsening social inequalities and upholds the importance of the third sector and service learning in societal transformation. A simple checklist (the PECTS system) shows how politics, the economy,…

Defying "liberal" and "conservative" labels, Communitarianism is a new social movement reflected in George Bush's endorsement of family values and Bill Clinton's calls for community service. Communitarianism does not uphold the individual's rights at all costs, nor impose moral solutions. The Communitarian agenda is to…

Although there is no lack of interest in social action among children, educators often lack necessary skills and experience. Teaching citizenship involvement requires not a new curriculum, but extension of a subject into real life. To succeed, teachers must grasp four concepts (problem, process, products, and presentation) hinging on students'…

Instead of emphasizing our common experience, some groups are conducting a harsh campaign against religious parents desiring to work in partnership with educators. This article summarizes what Christian parents find objectionable about multiculturalism, sex education, and rigid interpretations of church-state separation. In a sidebar, Mary Poplin…

Commitment is combined to classic learning with innovative citizenship education grounded in public debate by the Northtown Academy campus of Chicago International Charter School (CICS). KIPP Academics rely on academic pressure and tough love to help students meet state standards.

The globalization of economies, the digitization of work, pressing health and security issues, and changing demographics have dramatically changed our world. Unlike previous generations, U.S. high school graduates will routinely buy from the world, sell to the world, work for international companies, manage employees from other cultures and…

Sixteen educators and noneducators comment on John Henry Martin's proposal to narrow the goals of schooling and involve others more fully in the education of adolescents. (Author/MLF)

Because an educated citizenry is crucial to our society, quality education should be guaranteed and not left to chance. (Author)

To become competent and caring global citizens, students need opportunities to become less culture bound. Three high school teachers in Hinesburg, Vermont, have been teaching a comparative cultures course stressing pattern detecting through analyzing case studies, identifying communication preferences, articulating individual and family role…

Since genetics is about biological development and diversity, it is related to contentious social issues (like racism) and already permeates the K-12 curriculum. Staff who educated themselves about brain research can grasp genetics concepts and decide what knowledge is worth imparting to students. Print and web resources are listed. (MLH)

To become responsible citizens, students need to assume a global perspective. Activities to initiate a sense of world-mindedness include having students participate in a Model United Nations Program or in the 1,000 Cranes Club, arranging overnight visits between students from different schools and cultural backgrounds, and establishing pen pal…

Using male experience as the policy standard is becoming increasingly problematical. Instead of pointing to women's mathematics deficiencies, we might ask why men lag behind women in elementary school teaching, nursing, and full-time parenting. Given current conditions of poverty, crime, and child neglect, our society may be ready to raise its…

To nurture the spirit, young people have to participate in activities that help them make meaningful connections. They must be guided in real-life situations to develop a moral code and sense of civic pride. Service learning is a spiritual, esteem-enhancing affair that often blurs lines between giver and receiver. Compassion is learned by hands-on…

In these divided states of America, schools should teach students how to participate in the democratic process, rather than avoid classroom conflicts. Education for citizenship in a democracy cannot happen in an artificially conflict-free environment. Citizenship's core challenge is learning to cope creatively with controversial issues (like…

Too often, classroom-management systems built on trust and support in primary grades are replaced by compliance and obedience systems in higher grades. Consistency Management and Cooperative Discipline is a research-based, classroom-tested Texas program that combines instructional effectiveness (through consistent classroom organization) with…