Argues that the media portrayal of Africa remains highly selective, focusing almost solely on negative and violent stories. Positive stories (local initiatives, political reform) go unreported as does much of the Western powers involvement in famine and destruction. Includes a list of sources on African current affairs. (MJP)

Describes a third-grade instructional unit that begins with a basic introduction to African geography and culture. Children's books, from sources as diverse as current politics and Masai folk tales, are used to illustrate key concepts and places. Includes a list of children's books used in the lessons. (MJP)

Critiques six current history textbooks concerning their representation of African history. Identifies strengths and weaknesses in the texts and establishes criteria of judgement. Includes the use of primary sources, consideration of African perspectives, and a balanced portrait of contemporary problems. (MJP)

Investigates social studies curriculum reform in Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe. Reports on each country contain a brief overview of the historical situation and current syllabus, and a discussion of the ongoing "Africanization" process. Concludes with a definition of "Africanization," its purpose, and implications. (MJP)

Defends the history National Standards as an excellent and inclusive guide to the broad topics and themes appropriate to a U. S. history course. Nonetheless, characterizes the Standards as pedagogically conservative. Recommends an alternative approach emphasizing critical thinking and interdisciplinary instruction. (MJP)

Maintains that criticism of the history National Standards (from educators and historians, not the conservative media) has been unspecific and poorly focused. Argues that standards, by their definition, are exclusionary. Questions the attempt to develop critical thinking at an early age. (MJP)

Reviews and summarizes some of the most influential articles concerning history instruction and computers. Articles appeared in various social studies journals over the last five years. Most included specific guidelines and software reviews. Includes information on the journals reviewed. (MJP)

Provides a historical overview of the prerevolutionary Russian government's attempts at youth vocational education. Although the people favored these efforts, political opposition often weakened the policy. Entrepreneurial vocational schools and school/business cooperative efforts flourished in this environment. Briefly discusses selected schools…

Profiles the Psychoneurological Institute, a turn-of-the-century scientific education establishment. The Institute developed its own syllabi, introduced new courses, and waived tuition for low-income students. This freedom attracted scholars, students, and political controversy. After the 1917 Revolution the Institute became an accepted part of…

Presents a historical summary of Russian pedagogical thought concerning cognitive style and different learning strategies. As early as 1832 Russian educators were questioning the rigid standardized teaching strategies applied to all students. Identifies leading theorists in this movement and briefly discusses their contributions. (MJP)

Examines the origins of the British Federation of Women Graduates (BFUW) in the context of feminist concerns with women's positions in the universities in the early 1900s. Depicts the difficulties faced by the organization during their first 30 years. In 1990 the BFUW became the British Federation of Women Graduates. (MJP)

Maintains that 19th-century French boarding school culture used the idea of community to transmit feminine but not necessarily domestic values. These included obedience, selflessness, and interdependence. Students, however, transformed and reworked these messages to fit their individual needs, as revealed by one young woman's diary. (MJP)

A cross-sectional survey of Indiana preschoolers compared their ranking of health as a value relative to selected non-health-related values, noting the effect of demographic variables. Although subjects ranked health as high, it was perceived as less important than rules. Significant group differences were observed for variables of subject race,…

Surveys of factors associated with mothers' interest and participation in community task forces for preventing adolescent alcohol use, as part of Minnesota's Project Northland, found nine factors related to interest and participation (e.g., membership in community organizations and contact with parents of children's friends to discuss…

Reports a study that examined the value hierarchies of adolescent groups categorized by tobacco use (nonusers, experimenters, and heavy users). Surveys of rural 7th-12th graders indicated significant differences among the 3 groups' value priorities in areas including health, family security, and a world at peace. (SM)