Asks how intellectual development is tied to social setting. Considers this question from three perspectives: republican, cognitive developmental, and historical-materialists. Concludes that each recognizes that thinking is a product of social conditions. Discusses the importance for social studies education in terms of content and…

Compares two instructional strategies, prompting and direct instruction, to determine which produces dialogical reasoning in written essays concerning controversial issues. Participants were 45 sixth graders. Finds both strategies equally productive and concludes that the emphasis should be on providing thought-provoking, issues-oriented social…

States that while school's purpose is to educate citizens for a democratic community, they have yet to implement a K-12 curriculum for civic participation. Contends that schools can promote citizen participation by (1) helping students acquire knowledge of history and politics, (2) conducting schools as communities, and (3) providing opportunities…

Comments that the National Commission on the Social Studies report, "Charting a Course: Social Studies for the 21st Century," (1989) failed to fully explore citizenship requirements of democracy. Argues that social studies at all levels should promote student analysis of controversial public issues and develop students' understanding of…