Although the world is changing rapidly, young people's developmental trajectory has remained the same. Just as in the past, today's young adolescents with still-developing prefontal cortexes are malleable, impulsive, and impressionable. But Phyllis Fagell identifies three areas where today's tweens are different from those of the past. They are…

Upper elementary children today, while retaining many of the characteristics ascribed to them generations ago by theorists such as Piaget, Erikson, and Kohlberg, are different. Developmental characteristics across multiple domains remain relatively predictable for the upper elementary years, but they also reflect changes in society and school…

Emphasizes curricular planning that considers social problems as seen by youth, helping young people to examine their basic assumptions about society in relationship to human values and social policies. (JK)

Discusses need for development of higher education study programs that give due recognition to America's extensive black sub-culture and are designed to help Negro Americans realize their legitimate social goals of recognition and achievement. (JK)

Our society does not need to make its children first in mathematics and science. It needs to care for its children--to reduce violence, respect work of every kind, reward excellence, and ensure a place for every child and emerging adult in the economic and social world. Our main educational aim should be to encourage the growth of competent,…

A secondary education curriculum model is proposed that provides for individualized programs, including both academic study and direct student involvement in efforts to solve contemporary social problems. (JK)

Answering question relating to the future of society, the influence of religion, and the role of education, two theologians agree that schools should develop in students a sense of wonder, empathy, and civility. (DW)

Because today's families tend to be scattered geographically, children are less likely to interact with grandparents and other older adults. A volunteer coordinator describes the enriching experiences stimulated by a senior pen- pal program in Staten Island (New York) schools involving third graders and senior citizens. (MLH)

This paper declares war against the miseducation of young children, who learn best through direct encounters rather than through formalized inculcation of symbolic rules. A variety of socioeconomic forces (including the civil rights and women's movements) are forcing preschoolers into learning environments originally designed for school-age…

This future-oriented position paper provides a wide-ranging discussion of nine crucial issues identified by Phi Delta Kappa chapters and some guideposts for educators who must deal with these issues in coming decades. (Author/JH)

Although Hungary's 1989 political transformation gave new credibility to existing policies, it did not necessarily translate into an understanding of participatory decision making or enthusiasm for school reform. Beyond the rhetoric are two dramatic curricular alterations: removal of the Marxist ideology infusing each discipline and elimination of…

Reviews evolution and cultural context of early childhood education services and policies in Italy since late 19th century. Describes several features of Italian programs. Suggests that United States early childhood education programs and policies could benefit from many aspects of the Italian experience. (Contains 25 references.) (PKP)

Although Generations X and Y do not promote specific social-change goals, today's young people share a concern for building, maintaining, and serving community. Simply assigning students tasks in teacher-designed service-learning projects denies them opportunities for decision making, action planning, and leadership development. (MLH)