Claims that over-reaction to the open school concept should result in converting schools to a boring and aimless wasteland'' unless precision, purposefulness, and efficiency'' are maintained. (DS)

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)

Refutes the belief that the key to fostering tolerance in a society is to maintain a strong and uniform public school system. Clarifies the concept of "tolerance," uncovers some problematic assumptions underlying the opposition to private/alternative/separate school systems, and considers relevant empirical evidence. (DMM)

This report presents the results of a 1999 survey of 336 elementary schools in Ohio. It examines progressive and traditional practices in public, Catholic, and independent schools and offers an overview of the different kinds of schools. Rather than asking principals to characterize their schools as progressive or traditional, principals were…

The Attitude Toward Education Scale (ATES) is a self-report instrument designed to measure two global educational philosophical orientations--progressivism and traditionalism. The scale was administered to 250 teachers; the responses were subjected to principal component analyses. The results support Kerlinger and Kaya's component conceptual…

This book presents the case for traditional education and discusses the public's role in making education effective. The opening chapter introduces the concept of traditional education, noting its emphasis on the development of a command of language and formation of moral character, and placing the call for traditional education in a historical…

An investigation was conducted to compare the self-concept of 103 fifth-grade children from schools that practice a traditional educational philosophy to the self-concept of 94 fifth-grade children from schools that practice an open educational philosophy. All subjects were administered the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale for Children. Both…

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…

All educational thinking springs from three ancient theories: education should provide skills to succeed in society; education should stimulate the search for truth through academic excellence; and education should give students opportunities to develop their potential. But these ideas are incompatible, and mixing them together has created a…

Two competing theories of "both ways" (dominant culture access and minority culture maintenance) education are examined: Harris' culture domain separation theory and Kemmis'"negotiated meaning" approach. Analysis along three dimensions (view of culture, language, and epistomology/ontology) suggests Harris' theory is based on a…

While fiscal restraint has some negative impact, it provides an opportunity to bring greater order to schooling. The intellectual function of the school is "the perpetuation, transformation, and generation of knowledge grounded in the disciplines." Implicit in this vision of school is rejection of the function of school as socialization. (BRR)

The rationale behind the traditional grade organization pattern of pre-primary, primary, secondary, and tertiary is discussed, as is the trend to extend compulsory schooling later into the teenage years. The impact of these divisions and of compulsory schooling itself on equal educational opportunity is considered. (SJL)

Suggests that issues-centered education has two implications for the social studies curriculum: (1) the application and eventually the integration of subject knowledge and modes of inquiry; and (2) the development of interdisciplinary patterns of curriculum organization, such as fused or the core curriculum, to accommodate the imperative for…