The author suggests that "progressive innovations in the 1970's must build upon the traditional school structures" if educators wish to avoid public alienation. (AK)

The last 10 years have been a distinctive decade in American education. There was much argument for change in the 1950s, but it was Sputnik that sparked action in the field of education. The assumption at that time was that if the U.S. was technologically "behind," the schools were to blame. Federal funds for schools began as an "emergency"…

Describes the Teacher Drop-Out Center, an agency that helps innovative administrators find like-minded teachers, inside and outside the system. (Author)

Discusses the results of two studies comparing charters schools with traditional schools. Both studies suggest that charter schools are more successful in retaining better teachers than are traditional schools. Finds, for example, charter schools are much more likely than traditional public schools to employ teachers who lack regular state…

A commitment to either traditional or innovative education practice virtually defines the professional identities of most educators, writes Ferrero. Traditional practices emphasize basic skills, ability grouping, subject-matter disciplines, academic mastery, standardized testing, and a canonical curriculum; innovative practices focus on…

Discusses the arrival of a new breed of educator with skill, ability, leadership, and the courage to do away with outmoded paternalistic practices in favor of new creative approaches emphasizing personal growth and lifelong learning. (Author/GB)

BECAUSE OF CONDITIONS PREDETERMINED BY TRANSFER INSTITUTIONS AND STATE REQUIREMENTS, THE JUNIOR COLLEGE CURRICULUM HAS BEEN RESTRICTED TO A RELATIVELY TRADITIONAL PATTERN. LACK OF SUCCESS OF BOTH TRANSFER AND TERMINAL PROGRAMS, EVIDENCED BY THE NUMBERS OF STUDENTS FAILING TO COMPLETE THEM, INDICATES A NEED TO CHANGE THE CURRICULUM. POTENTIAL AREAS…

This paper surveys the literature on educational programmes in selected rural areas of the world. It reports present trends in organization, content and methodology. The focus is on the structure of formal education, its innovation and impact on the development of the rural areas. (SM)

Discusses how private schools differ from public schools, noting how private schools create meaning via cultural attributes and suggesting potential pitfalls in eschewing tradition in response to external pressures. Private schools must understand the balance between tradition and innovation to avoid losing their roots or becoming obsolete. (SM)

In answer to economic needs and social demands, a structural innovation was introduced in secondary education in most West European countries, mainly in the 1960s. Contrary to the traditional schools, organized in vertical categories, the so-called comprehensive schools brought together all branches in one school. There was protest against this…

Begins with a brief overview of the origins of constructivist thinking among the philosophers and the major forms of constructivism. Continues with definitions and descriptions of models of constructivist classrooms and teams. And concludes with a comparison of constructivist and traditional approaches to learning. (Contains 27 references.) (WFA)

The 10 journal articles and documents annotated in this bibliography cover various aspects of the controversy provoked by the emergence of the back-to-basics movement. Several attempt to define the movement and to place it in political and educational context. One paper reports statistics on its growth. Several sources delineate the movement's…

A series of single day visits to selected elementary and secondary schools in Illinois, Nevada, California, Florida, and Massachusetts was made by a visitation team of teachers, administrators and architects from the Monroe (Michigan) School District. This document reports the visitation team's impressions of developing educational systems,…

Two educational models are described: Alternative S, the structured situation stands for security and sureness gained through the equating of system and structure and through organization which preserves the status quo. Alternative O, openness, stands for ongoingness, and opportune moments for growth. Values and latent dangers of these two diverse…