An introduction to the study of American government is the focus on the first unit of the 12th grade level of the FICSS series (Focus on Inner City Social Studies -- see SO 008 271). The five content areas offer an overview of the three major branches of American government, independent regulatory agencies, and politics and elections. The unit…

By state law, the age of majority was lowered to 18 as of 1972. This pamphlet consists of general guidelines for curricula and school programs in response to questions regarding the implications of the new legislation. For example, school districts are requested to re-examine their civics courses in light of new voting age. It is also recommended…

In response to allegations of blacks that broadcasting stations, especially in the South, discriminate against their interests, the Office of Communications of the United Church of Christ undertook a two-year project (1968-70) to combat discriminatory practices. The project attacked two widespread practices: non-employment or under-employment of…

HEW has become a focus for the aspirations and concerns of our Nation for the income, the education, the physical and mental health, and well being of its citizenry. This report looks to the future and suggests reconception and reform for HEW. Not intended as a progress report, it does review and defend the present structure of the department,…

Decreased civic and political participation is a pressing problem in the United States. Today, Americans are less likely to vote, work for a party or candidate, attend a meeting, or belong to a social or community organization than they were 40 years ago. A study used the Community Indicators Survey, a nationally representative sample of 1,206…

This curriculum guide discusses civic responsibility, how it is tied to service learning, how faculty can integrate concepts and exercises in a practical way, and how faculty can assess the development of civic responsibility in their students. Civic responsibility is defined here as active participation in the public life of a community, in an…

Describes creation and implementation of a college service-learning course on "Nonviolence, Peace and Community" in response to local social conflict. The facilitators attempted to create the course from the community, using community participation, collaborative self-directed learning, a Socratic approach to group discussion, and an…

Discusses the emerging interest in media education, or media literacy, and its impact on the role of the school library media specialist. Highlights include the school reform and restructuring movement; the impact of technology on literacy; the role in civic education and in health education; and media education support organizations. (Contains 17…

The Secretary of Education discusses gains made since Brown versus Board of Education ruling and recognizes much work still to be done. Presents five core building blocks for encouraging excellence and equality for all children: high standards; using traditional civil rights tools; using creative mechanisms encouraging excellence and diversity;…

Describes a leadership institute in Science-Technology-Society (STS) education which was established to develop middle-school science teacher/leaders in STS education across rural areas of central Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. The program was comprised of professional-development activities and complementary research that used STS…

Chronicles the emergence of community service in the United States, beginning with the turn-of-the-century collision of capitalism and democracy which generated a crisis of community and profound rethinking of the meaning and practice of charity. Three service "paths" are identified: nonprofit human services organizations; active…

Presents a brief meditation on the power of women, the power of words, and the power of faith to enact social change. Discusses the work of Harriet Beecher Stowe, using her 1873 work "Women in Sacred History," to provide examples of women who made a difference. (MJP)

This publication presents the National Adult Literacy Goals and Action Plans developed at the Fourth National Adult Literacy Congress. The goals and action plans are intended for use in national, state, and local initiatives to support adult students as they become part of the solution to the illiteracy problem in the United States. A list of the…

Teacher-developed materials for legal education in elementary and junior high schools in Florida are presented. The lessons focus on the consequences of crime and rule-breaking in terms of the law and penal systems, the victim and loved ones, the criminal and loved ones (as victims, too), and the community, which suffers and pays the costs. In the…

The purpose of this booklet is to inform young people of their rights when they become 18 and to help them recognize and avoid possible legal problems. Although written specifically for young people in Wisconsin, the booklet can be used by youths in any part of the United States. A summary of legal principles in effect at the time of publication…