A former U.S. Commissioner of Education traces the personal influences that have made him an ardent champion of the small liberal arts college and offers some enterprising suggestions for keeping these colleges successful. (Editor/LBH)

In the United States, national legislation was created to protect disabled students' education rights. Courts have provided tests for integrating such students into school systems. Some are concerned this advocacy has gone too far and that court decisions authorizing "full inclusion" misinterpret the law's intent. This article examines…

Provides an analysis of aggressive and violent behavior among today's youth and of practices, both historical and current, that have been used in schools to deal more effectively with such behavior. Public enlightenment and more proactive strategies are suggested as measures to achieve more positive outcomes. (Author/CR)

Explores the debate between positivist and postmodern points of view in science education. Historical and philosophical interpretations of the issues lead to the conclusion that science teacher education should look for neutral ground, stressing the best of various positions and emphasizing creativity in science. (SLD)

White founders and supporters of black colleges were often reluctant to entrust control of the institutions to blacks. This article reviews the history of white presidents of black colleges and profiles 22 of these historically black institutions and their first black presidents, the last of whom was appointed in 1971. (SLD)

Reviews the past 50 years of mathematics education in the United States and examines past and present reforms. The mathematics education community is trying to develop a vision of mathematics that will serve in the next century. Current curriculum materials based on these reforms present students with relevant problems to solve and require…

Between the master plan of a college campus and design of single buildings is the neglected province of "microplanning" small campus spaces. Such planning is guided by campus finances and institutional academic needs; knowledge of the distinctive tradition of American campus planning; and understanding of the particular institution's…

Sketches the history of children's books about science, from the first picture book in Germany in 1658 to Louis Agassiz's work on establishing science firmly in the education of young people in America. States that science books need to be accurate, and they must demonstrate the "scientific method." Outlines 11 characteristics of science…

Jon Scott, former department chair at the State University of New York at Albany, discusses his early education in the Modern School Movement, transition to public school, college experience, and opinions on the deficiencies of higher education. (SAS)

Explores the debate over affirmative action in higher education in the larger historical context, arguing for a broader interpretation of affirmative action that expands it beyond racialized imagery. The expanded use of affirmative action in the 1960s and 1970s should be understood as a component of a movement to attack causes of inequality in the…

Cornell University (New York) was among the first to remove normative religious instruction and mandatory religious practice from their previous pervasiveness in higher education. This has removed from the university the responsibility for safeguarding the cultural authority of religion and allowed religion to enter the realm of ideas to be…

Examines the history of the North Central Association's Commission on Schools, highlighting seven common misconceptions and citing the historical record to correct them. Discusses the commission's origins, accreditation achievements, accreditation methodologies, relationship to government agencies, dues, and staff size. (MAB)

Examines three questions concerning the quality of reading and writing among students: (1) is reading achievement today better or worse than in the past? (2) how well do students read in relation to the demands of their schooling and their later work? and (3) how different is reading achievement by socio-economic status? Finds that the perceived…