After many unsuccessful attempts to improve education, it's time to focus on people, not methods, and encourage local experimentation rather than top-down reforms. Promising approaches include concentrating on changing people's beliefs, emphasizing process instead of preconceived outcomes, beginning with local problems, eliminating reform…

According to 1987 National Institute of Drug Abuse statistics, more than 67 percent of teens drink, 25 percent drink weekly, and more teens die and are injured in drinking and driving accidents than any other manner. This article describes a Friday Night Live program featuring powerful testimonials and an intense multimedia program to promote safe…

The author responds to criticisms (EA 519 522-525) of his "great tradition" article (EA 519 521). Points out that only one philosopher in the past 24 centuries was sympathetic to giving choices to children and adolescents. (MD)

Commemorates Martin Luther King, Jr. on the first celebration of the national holiday and proposes teaching the ideals that Dr. King advocated. (MD)

Studies suggest that it is extremely difficult to predict which youth will continue to take up criminal activities as adults. Close attachments with family and school can help prevent delinquency. (Author/JM)

Offers tenets to help curriculum developers dodge the "landmines" that ruin curriculum development efforts. (Author)

Professionals with specialized training are not the only ones capable of evaluation. Increasingly evident is the skillful use in curriculum evaluation of a variety of qualitative methods by interested people. (Author/MLF)

A new audiovisual technology, the videodisc, is beginning to make its presence felt in education. The capabilities of one format--the reflective optical videodisc system--are described. (Author/MLF)

A guide to publications and organizations in the field of citizenship education. (MLF)

Reviews the current state-of-the-art of research on the gifted. (MLF)

An advocate of scientific creationism states arguments for its inclusion in the public school curriculum. (MLF)

A scientist states that creationism may have a place in the schools, but as a theological doctrine, not as a scientific theory. (Author/MLF)

The author, responding to an article in the April 1980 "Educational Leadership" states that he has not found any indication that the Kotter syndrome (from the television series "Welcome Back, Kotter") is a key to educating disadvantaged students. (Author/MLF)

High-school mathematics teacher in Rock Island, Illinois, describes plan for using writing assignment to improve student understanding of advanced mathematics. Plan includes the following elements: Start small, be firm with students, make writing assignments count, and inform colleagues. (PKP)

Provides six research-based domains of teacher effectiveness: Prerequisites of effective teachers, teacher as a person, classroom management and organization, organizing for instruction, implementing instruction, and monitoring students progress and potential. Describes how six domains can guide teacher-selection process. (PKP)