Describes the cumulation of concern over the last 10 years that brought leading educators and business people together to create an organization that supports comprehensive character education programs. Discusses the work of this organization, the Character Education Partnership. Lists 11 principles for program development and describes model…

Reports on the work of the Child Development Project. The project outlined a series of approaches and characteristics shared by successful character development school programs. These include creating a caring community, a social constructivist approach to staff development, use of cooperative learning strategies, autonomy, belonging, and…

Argues that the development of political corruption brings about important changes in the political system and in the characteristics of the political class. Describes the emergence and activities of a group of "business politicians" in Italy who have transformed political parties into socializing agencies for illicit activities. (MJP)

Defines "grand" corruption as that occurring at the higher levels of a political system and involving large sums of money. Discusses the impact and incentives for this level of corruption as well as various government responses. Identifies multinational corporations as the major malefactors. (MJP)

Examines the role of the media in the social construction of the Tangentopoli affair. Originally perceived as a minor scandal involving kickbacks on a cleaning contract, Tangentopoli became a rallying cry for reform, and seriously affected the 1994 Italian elections. Includes graphical analysis of media coverage. (MJP)

Summarizes the results of a questionnaire given to Finnish high school students and their teachers. They were asked values-oriented questions and then asked how they thought an ideal pupil would answer the same. Reveals distinct differences between teachers' and students' concept of an ideal pupil. (MJP)

Asserts that character education in the schools should be framed by the civic principles of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Paraphrases these principles as "rights, responsibilities, and respect." Addresses parental misgivings about possible religious content and conflict. (MJP)

Describes a service learning project where students identify a real political problem, research related issues, and propose a solution. Members of the U.S. Congress and county offices of education have created corresponding awards programs. Includes procedures for creating a local project. (MJP)

Discusses Russian political and economic changes and the impact on public education. Questions whether the emphasis on teaching ideas and new instructional methods is better than the work experience programs under the Soviet educational system. Concludes that the nation must maintain the labor training of students within school programs. (CFR)

Asserts that incorporating human rights issues into the curriculum causes tensions, especially in nations with histories of military dictatorships. Describes human rights education in Chile and other Latin American nations. Discusses whether human rights should be a separate curriculum subject or integrated into all courses. (CFR)

Contends that urban violence involves not only acts against individuals but also systemic violence perpetrated against the ethnic-minority poor. Argues that this systemic violence is a form of human rights violation. Maintains that moral educators should utilize a human rights perspective in curriculum planning. (CFR)

Presents a high school lesson plan about U.S. government policy regarding Native Americans that is based on the National Standards for United States History. Includes a map, a reprint of a painting, and five primary source documents. Provides student objectives and step-by-step instructional procedures. (CFR)

Asserts that a trend toward vocationalism in Australian schools has been underway since the 1970s. Examines educational restructuring efforts in Australia and describes their relationship to Australian political developments. Argues for a reconstruction of democratic social democracy within the framework of vocationalism. (CFR)

Asserts that middle school education is a conceptually unique process requiring changed teacher roles, a curriculum of exploration rather than skill development, and student grouping based on developmental factors rather than by age or subject matter. (CFR)

Given that mathematics is the essence of scientific and rational thinking, and that mathematics is the imprinter of both modern society and modern thought, implicit curricular proposals for both pre- and in-service mathematics teacher training are suggested for the revitalized teacher promotion of students' just and democratic behaviors. (JJK)