Provides an overview of the National Commission on Social Studies in the Schools' publication, "Charting a Course: Social Studies for the 21st Century." Reprints the report's curriculum characteristics and goals segments, which briefly outlines content placement. Presents conflicting conceptions of social studies education and questions…

Questions whether the requirement of more history courses, as called for by some reformers, will advance citizenship education. Explores the questions: Will the incorporation of more history improve social studies programs? Is curriculum reform the most urgent need in social studies education? and Should the nation expect widespread change in how…

Critically assesses current reformist views on teaching social studies. Warns that these educators and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) position is anti-intellectual, contradicting the ideals of education and democracy. Encourages healthy debate about social studies and supports the virtues of humanism, skepticism, and pluralism. (NL)

Discusses the education for citizenship program that is part of the National Curriculum in Great Britain. Maintains that citizenship can be interpreted in a minimal, or formal way or in a maximal, or more personal fashion. Calls for a national debate to define more clearly the meaning of citizenship. (CFR)

Maintains that the impact of Georg Kerschensteiner's educational theory has focused mainly on vocational education for boys and that his attempt to redefine civic education for girls has not been considered. Discusses three reasons why the relationship between his educational theories and education for females has been ignored. (CFR)

Compares a college-level senior seminar at Christoper Newport University (VA) to a rite of passage for new members in the field. Describes the structure, content, and assignments used in the course. Lists criteria used to evaluate student papers and presentations. (CFR)

Compares different sociological factors influencing postwar British and Swedish vocational education systems. Argues that, although Swedish vocational education aimed at creating the "new citizen" and an economic skills base, both motives were absent in post-1945 Britain. Suggests that attitudes of the two countries towards vocational…

Addresses the shortcomings of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) position statement "Fostering Civic Virtue: Character Education in the Social Studies." Challenges the work of the NCSS Task Force on Character Education in the Social Studies on four concerns: (1) necessity and timeliness; (2) generality and specificity;…

This report aims to inform Canadians on the extent to which Canada's post-secondary education sector is contributing to Canadians' social and economic objectives, its ability to respond to a fast-changing global environment, and how Canada's approach to higher education compares with other leading developed countries. Analysis of currently…

This social studies curriculum guide for grades K-12 contains 10 sections: (1) School board policy and philosophy; (2) Philosophy implementation guidelines; (3) Program level objectives; (4) Responsibility for social studies curriculum; (5) Multicultural/multiethnic graphic; (6) General exit outcomes; (7) Social studies skills; (8) Seven essential…

Early childhood education in Japan, which consists of non-compulsory kindergarten and day nurseries, focuses on social studies by encouraging young children to develop sound minds and bodies. Although play is considered an important element, kindergarten is at times characterized by the stress associated with the rigid competition of entrance…

The 1968 presidential address to the annual meeting of the National Council for the Social Studies (48th, Washington, D.C., November 1968).

Designed for fifth and sixth grade students in Boulder County (Colorado) schools, this manual provides objectives and activities and lists resources for legal education. The fifth grade unit focuses on awareness of rights and responsibilities through a study of the Bill of Rights, Title IX, citizenship responsibilities, and the juvenile justice…

This document identifies resources and suggests teaching strategies for use by elementary and secondary classroom teachers as they develop and implement legal education programs. Although the program was developed by teachers and legal experts for use in schools in Portland, Oregon, the developers believe that the materials can be adapted for use…

Civic education in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s is examined with regard to program content and objectives, state mandated courses, national patterns, teaching methods, innovative practices, test results, and influences from the extra-educational sector. The developers state that the document may be useful for a variety of purposes…