In an article published in 1993, Rahima Wade reviewed the quality of social studies textbook content analyses published in three major social studies journals between 1982 and 1992. She concluded that the quality of this research was disappointing. Borrowing and refining Wade's methods, this article presents the findings of a review of all 29…

Present trends indicate that public education may complete a full circle to one of its most important starting points, that of providing education for the poor. The author notes such trends as the voucher system and tax rebates for private instruction. (KC)

The consumer education movement is traced to the early decades of the twentieth century and future directions are explored on the basis of past experience. (Author/KM)

Harold Rugg's attempts to integrate social criticism, educational theory, and social studies theory and practice are examined. The strengths and weaknesses of his theory are emphasized. (DE)

The role and content of social studies curriculum for elementary and secondary students is examined and compared with preceding curricula of the 40s, 50s, and 60s. The premise is that today's social studies is too narrow and does not encompass enough humanistic perspective; resulting in the need for teachers to re-evaluate the social studies…

Reviews changing attitudes toward the objectives of social studies throughout our country's educational history. Emphases have included history teaching, geography and civics, strengthening democratic institutions, education for life adjustment, knowledge of specific disciplines, relevance of life experiences to academic knowledge, and the "back…

Describes the founding and evolution of "The Social Studies," by Albert E. McKinley in 1909. Identifies the struggle between historians and social studies educators for the "soul" of the magazine during the 1930s. Concludes that the magazine has served both history education and social studies education well. (CFR)

Reviews the history of social studies as an integrated, issue-centered field of study from its inception within the progressive movement to the present. Summarizes major curricular development projects within the issues-centered orientation and speculates on the decline of the problems approach in social studies education. (SLM)

Reviews the New Social Studies reform movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Discusses the learning theories that provided the foundation for the movement. Contends that, although the movement faded in the mid-1980s, the impact can still be found in some instructional methods and materials. (CFR)

Reviews the origin, implementation, and principles of the Amherst Project, a teacher education workshop that was one of the leading examples of the "new social studies" in the 1960s. Discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the project and briefly notes similar programs still in existence. (MJP)

Describes the author's first meeting with curriculum specialist Hilda Taba and his subsequent work on the Taba Curriculum Project. Discusses the project's objectives, major features, and the instructional strategies necessary for implementation. Concludes by discussing Taba's impact on curriculum design and development. (CFR)

Examines the origins and conceptualization of the social studies movement in Africa, and describes the practice of social studies and its current status. Concludes that although social studies has some unique problems due to the nature of the subject matter, it is more relevant to the lives of African children than traditional curricula. (LS)

Describes the origins, development, and activities of the Elementary School Economics Project at the University of Chicago during the "New Social Studies" era of the 1960s. Maintains that the program was compatible with the social science and inquiry-based instructional strategies popular at that time. (CFR)

Contends that students traditionally have characterized social studies as difficult, uninteresting, and largely irrelevant to their present and future lives. Describes the development and use of social studies learning activity packets. Illustrates how the activity packets are consistent with current trends. (CFR)