This report presents the response of delegates to the 1983 Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) National Leadership Conference to the report of the National Commission on Excellence and Education, "A Nation at Risk." Their responses are provided to three issues: content (the Five New Basics), time, and citizen involvement. For…

Recent reports on educational reform tend to encourage a return to enforced uniformity in American public schools. If public education is to compete successfully with private education, however, increasing numbers of magnet schools should be established to provide diversity and genuine choice among public schools. (JBM)

Efforts to improve public education should include better teacher salaries, teacher recertification, merging of schools and departments of education, viewing teachers as professionals, increased private sector support, greater commitment of resources by colleges and universities, use of retired professionals, and changes in English and Social…

Presents excerpts from two interviews, conducted in 1979 and 1995, with John Coe, a British primary education specialist and advocate for child-centered education. As primary education has veered toward a national curriculum and assessments, school choice, locally managed schools, and a strong, politically charged accountability element, teachers…

Established in 1973, a progressive Charlotte, North Carolina, elementary school has been subjected to trends and pressures (particularly the back-to-basics and direct- instruction movements) that threatened its integrity and survival. Irwin Avenue must cover citywide academic objectives, but organizes its curriculum around themes and active,…

To test whether elementary social studies texts have changed in response to the back-to-basics movement, a content analysis was made of selected basal texts series published between 1969-1972 and reissued between 1979-1982. Quantitative data, anecdotal data, and educational criticism were used to compare eight matched text series for knowledge…

Adding more funds to American education will not accomplish the needed reform. Needed are restoration of discipline, ending of drug and alcohol abuse, raising academic standards, encouraging good teaching, restoring parent and state/local government involvement, and teaching the basics. (MSE)

Examining the history of a "promotion by achievement" program begun in 1973-74 in Greensville County, Virginia, the authors argue that the effects of the program were not racially discriminatory as alleged by a 1980 suit that led to the program's termination in 1981. (JBM)

Compares two board members' educational philosophies and motivations, highlighting typical power struggles with patrons, teachers, and administrators. Both board members hold traditional educational values and a "back to basics" approach to curriculum development. Whereas Tom considers his unwillingness to compromise a positive…

This study focuses on vocational education curriculum and staffing changes among California school districts as a result of 1983 state back-to-basics educational reform legislation (Hughes-Hart Educational Reform Act of 1983). Data were gathered from 1981-86, beginning with baseline data two years prior to, during, and two years after legislation.…

The Integrating Studies Program at Vermont College was designed not only to help students master the dictates of established disciplines, but also to inquire about the nature of knowledge. As such, it reflects the growth of the general studies movement and that movement's desire to restore the bond between education and character-formation. The…

Outlines steps suggested by Education Secretary William J. Bennett to improve science curriculum. Lists topics of concern for grades K-8. (ML)

Differential effects of promotion from and retention in grade on second- and fifth-grade students were investigated. It was hypothesized that (1) children retained in grade will evoke negative perceptions and thus have lower status than children regularly promoted; (2) more favorable attributions will be made to children who are regularly promoted…

A review of ecological problems facing human society is presented and the relationship of education to social change is considered. Basic environmental limitations which are discussed include population; basic materials such as food, fuels, and water; and environmental tolerance. Ecological hazards which combine with these limitations to result in…

Offers a fictionalized account of the development, within an elementary school, of four distinctive schools-within-schools. Questions and issues arising in developing such programs are discussed; the theme of each of these four is described, and advantages that staff find in the arrangement are presented. (Author/JB)