Maintains that the nature and role of geography within social studies has been a major area of debate since 1916. Asserts that geography relies too heavily on rote memorization of facts and neglects geographic thinking. Contends that geography teachers share the blame for this and must change their teaching and evaluation methods. (CFR)

Maintains that Venezuela has many U.S. ties because of its relative proximity and economic significance. Asserts that the Five Themes of Geography can be used to design effective classroom lessons about Venezuela. Presents five activities that include student objectives, necessary materials, and step-by-step instructional procedures. (CFR)

Maintains that a survey of beginning social studies teachers would probably show that their major concern is classroom discipline. Discusses discipline-related issues such as why do students obey rules, what actions should be taken, and discipline strategies. (CFR)

Describes a current affairs program involving the examination of social issues in a Canadian elementary school. Discusses significant aspects of the program, including the debate format, the use of computers, and a partnership with a local cable television company. Includes an appendix of the debating/talk-show format used. (CFR)

Discusses impediments in collaboration between college researchers and teachers. Using case studies, the paper describes how differences can enrich research initiatives and enhance the collaboration. The paper examines "fair trade" as a beginning for negotiations between outsiders and insiders, highlighting the negotiation of fair roles and…

Presents an overview of changing approaches to the professional preparation and continuing education of school principals, explores how state certification standards drive the university curriculum, and discusses the role that principal academies play in promoting the professional development of practicing principals. Future directions for…

Moral, emotional, and political dimensions influence teachers' emerging identities. This paper analyzes how one beginning teacher acquired and maintained innovative instructional methods, recommends that teachers receive training in various instructional methods, contests the use of professional development schools, and suggests changes in…

Proposes a strategy for incorporating multiculturalism into teacher education; examines why future teachers need to develop multicultural competencies, how to integrate general principles of multicultural education and curriculum design into teacher preparation programs, and how to accomplish integration so prospective teachers will be empowered…

Study evaluates the assumption that when preservice teachers' subject matter knowledge is enhanced by formal psychological understanding of learners, superior instruction results. Analyzing preservice language arts teachers' responses to a student's request for feedback about his poem found that formalist thinking predominated over instructional…

Teacher education demonstrates little affinity with visions of what constitutes teacher competence. The paper examines the education teachers need to help students handle the vicissitudes of the coming century, noting the uses and limits of theory, the school as an educative environment for teachers, and the ecological character of schools. (SM)

Describes the demographic, social, and political variables influencing the development of young children; their relationship to the need for comprehensive services; and the need for early childhood educators who possess competencies to serve diverse groups of young children, including those dealing with poverty, violence, cultural diversity,…

Explores how secondary transition initiatives for students with disabilities have influenced the implementation of secondary curriculum and preparation of secondary educators, recommending that to prepare all secondary students for their futures, secondary educators must acquire a knowledge base in vocational values and domains, technological…

Discusses current trends and issues impacting educators and the populations they serve, presenting perspectives on major societal changes occurring from a mental health and family systems framework. Implications for approaching these ecological issues and creating new delivery systems promoting collaboration are discussed, noting the important…

This article discusses some of the fundamental assessment problems facing the curriculum in higher education and makes a case for assessment in education from the standpoint of American pragmatism, arguing that methods of assessment are, at their core, methods of curriculum development. (SM)

Involving others in school-based decision making will help regain public support for education. A school improvement planning process is described that emphasizes overall student performance and addresses appropriate involvement of educators and local stakeholders in identifying and articulating the knowledge, skills, and understandings teachers…