Reports results of a 1991 survey of high school students to determine whether student opinions about good citizenship had changed since a 1987 study. Reports that students perceived good citizenship as the ability to make wise decisions and be concerned for others. Concludes that students consider responsibility, ability to question, and moral…

A national citizenship survey, in which over 600,000 students in grades two through junior high school participated, showed that students have a positive but realistic view of their government, take their responsibility as citizens--and their right of free speech--seriously, and love their country because it is a free country. (RM)

Social studies must educate students to be socially responsible, civically competent persons. In addition to encouraging civic literacy, civic values, and civic skill, teachers need to help students develop civic-mindedness. The objective of the NCSS' National Issues Forum in the Classroom Project is to develop students' civic intelligence. (RM)

Discusses five generalizations based on political education correlational research and assesses their implications for teachers of citizenship education. Conclusions include: l) knowledge can be influenced more directly than attitudes, 2) the quality of civics instruction is critical in shaping attitudes, and 3) a more realistic picture of…

Argues that the strategies and goals of cooperative learning promote good citizenship and the reduction of prejudice. Reviews supporting theories and research and reports on a fifth grade's ten-week cooperative learning experience. (JDH)

Two high school students from Brooklyn, New York, suggest ways for public schools to overcome student apathy by allowing students to take an active role in student government. (Author/RM)

Describes a recently developed test for measuring law-related attitudes among students at the junior high level and suggests ways in which teachers might employ this test in their own classrooms. The test includes all features of a satisfactory test for social studies outlined by Hunkel (1976). (Author/KC)

Maintains that in order to educate students to join the informed citizenry they must first develop their political identity through learning base knowledge concepts, such as the political continuum where students learn their political affiliations. Proceeds with a discussion on how students can apply this knowledge through participatory activities…

Contends that thousands of high schools subscribe to the daily "Channel One" newscast. Outlines a literature review and survey of 600 high school students about their attitudes toward "Channel One." Finds students generally have positive feelings about the news program but not about the commercials. (CFR)

Recommends classroom activities and student projects designed to foster an interest in the news. Argues that student participation in active news gathering and interpretation will enable them to recognize news bias and emotional appeal. Suggests production of a newspaper, a newscast, an editorial, and assembly of a news review comparing news from…

Discusses a study of the role of social studies instruction in promoting sociopolitical mobilization among Nigerian youth. Examines the effects of gender, varied experience, and academic qualifications. Concludes than education is as effective as propaganda in influencing attitudes. (DK)

Discusses projects used by some teachers, texts, and other instructional materials for teaching the responsibility and participatory aspects of citizenship. Suggests that texts currently in use neglect teaching the protection of rights. Argues that corporations do more educating than schools through their commercials. Questions how some teachers…

Posits the need to totally revamp social studies education, implicitly criticizing recent curriculum reform reports. Identifies five ways in which students define themselves that radically differ from teachers' and past students' points of view. Outlines resulting classroom communication problems. Questions how best to make social studies relevant…

Recounts a lawyer's personal experience teaching high school students from the wrong side of the tracks about the U.S. Constitution as part of a pilot program. Suggests that linking legal issues to students' personal lives. Can inspire as well as inform. (CH)

Contends that student alienation cannot be solved by improved instructional methodology or curriculum content reform. Argues that the citizenship education goals of social studies cannot be taught effectively because societal values do not support schools or teachers. Provides five suggestions on policies that might address these issues. (CFR)