This study of experiments with a new type of educational institution in Communist China is based upon an analysis of materials from Chinese Communist newspapers and periodicals. Reliance upon a discriminating use of such materials is necessitated by the lack of impartial first hand evaluations of these new institutions by qualified outside…

Asserts that aesthetic questions and aesthetic understanding provide the framework for learning in art. Contrasts formalism (the belief that art exists for its own sake) with contextualism (the belief that art is part of a social communication system). Maintains that a balanced art program should incorporate both approaches. (MJP)

Responds to recent scathing criticism of the peer review process of scholarly publishing. Identifies three main problems with reviewers and editors: unresponsiveness, inconsistency, and indecisiveness. Discusses the pros and cons of several proposed publishing reforms including multiple submissions, establishing clearer and more consistent…

Analyzes the art criticism of nine university art education students writing about the work of Robert Rauschenberg. Identifies the students' use or nonuse of thematic unity, intertextuality, opposition, and description. These thinking strategies are primarily found in the works of three professional art critics. (MJP)

Describes teaching strategies for students' initial exposure to nonfiction materials to help students' comprehension of new materials of varying opinions, and integration of new knowledge. Provides specific questions to elicit student understanding and utilization of new content, author, organization, biography, style, publishing conventions,…

Reports on a follow-up study to an evaluation of art museum education practices from nearly a decade ago. That report criticized museum art education as lacking intellectual rigor and training, institutional support, technical training, and vision. The up-to-date data found some significant improvement but many of the same problems. (MJP)

Criticizes recent attempts to redefine the forced education of American Indians as a triumph of Indian coping strategies and adjustment. While admitting that the process was more complex and symbiotic than earlier models suggested, still maintains that the U.S. government exerted more control than did the Indians. (MJP)

Critical/feminist pedagogy provides a framework for teacher education in a democratic society because it facilitates the development of pedagogical relations that support the acquisition of the skills of democratic participation. The paper discusses these themes and suggests a framework for implementing teacher education supportive of the…

The current bureaucratic model used in administering public education in Canada displays a systemic gender bias that results from sociopolitical-cultural assumptions concerning gender roles, capitalism, hierarchy, and patriarchy. A proposed neo-bureaucracy would replace individual ownership of success with an accent on teamwork and group…

Asserts that neither of the two most popular models of art criticism lends itself to a postmodern understanding of the political role of visual art in the late 20th century. Concludes that the historical context model is rooted in historical understanding and that teachers must prepare for this type of instruction. (CFR)

Contends that the role of the arts in human education and development is essential. Describes an elementary curriculum project that integrates economics and art education to study visual images of U.S. business. Includes three descriptive figures, a table of subthemes and visual art images, and a sample lesson plan. (CFR)

Analyzes the Baltimore Public School District's contract with a private for-profit company to manage the instructional programs of nine schools. It shows that the award of the contract was solely a political consideration; no financial experts were involved. Additionally, the program has not improved test scores and is being challenged by the…

Discusses the use of encyclopedias by students and considers the role of the library media specialist in teaching appropriate encyclopedia use. Topics addressed include problems with plagiarism; the need to improve assignments; the information seeking process; becoming critical users of information; and the quality of information sources. (three…

Introduces ex-teacher and author John Taylor Gatto's experiences and views on education, including contradictory patterns of family life and education in the United States, based on traditions of various immigrant groups; deleterious impacts of standardization and institutional usurpation of family functions; and conflict between the development…

Reports on a qualitative study of complex, sophisticated thinking among 50 preservice art teachers taking an art criticism course. Maintains that the conversational model of instruction helped students understand the higher-order thinking skills associated with art criticism. (CFR)