Unlike many of her colleagues, the author was not "trying out" teaching as a profession. As early as elementary school, she knew she wanted to teach. Her commitment to teaching grew out of a basic commitment to social justice. From her own experience, she knew that whether or not a child receives a good education often hinges on the child's…

University Park Campus School (UPCS), which opened in 1997, is among the most innovative aspects of Clark's nationally prominent multimillion-dollar revitalization effort to clean up Worcester's deteriorating Main South neighborhood and encourage staff and faculty to buy homes there. The school, like the broader initiative, is the product of a…

The most important date in the Boston University Chelsea Partnership was not the day in 1989 when the initial partnership agreement was signed. Nor was it the date in 1997 when the School Committee voted unanimously to renew the partnership for five additional years. If an objective history of the Boston University-Chelsea Partnership were…

Higher education authorities are embracing the latest movement in education known as "P-16." Its proponents argue that colleges have operated too long as a separate realm from America's public schools. As a result, many high school graduates are not properly prepared for college, despite the unrelenting national push in public schools for rigorous…

Many white students are barely exposed to African-American history throughout their schooling. When students do examine the other side of American history, the one not generally found in their textbooks, they often wonder why they have not learned this before. An understanding of African-American history is central to any effort to eliminate…

A little over a year ago, the New Hampshire State Board of Education declared attracting and retaining quality educators to be its number one priority. Teacher shortages are looming throughout New England. But in the rural northern tier of New Hampshire, the challenge of recruiting teachers is especially tough. While New Hampshire is the…

Argues that teacher education in economics is essential if high school students are to have an opportunity to learn economics. Presents results from a study that shows that a three-year master's degree program in economics has beneficial effects on the understanding of both the participating teachers and their students. (DSK)

Describes a one-semester economics course in which students assume the role of key figures in the development of economic thought, ranging from the mercantilists through the early neoclassicists. Structures class discussion thematically rather than chronologically, so characters are conversationally engaged in each class. (DSK)

Describes an international economics course in which the culminating activity is a simulated General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) conference. Discusses the simulation phases and their timing, as well as modifications for using the simulation in other international-economics settings. Presents student evaluations of the course. (DSK)

Argues that role playing may engage students more effectively than lectures, but the risk of role play is that students often wander from the intended central themes. Presents part of a scripted role play from an environmental-economics course to illustrate how scripting offers a solution to this problem. (DSK)

Illustrates the game-theory concept of a dominant strategy using the MTV-network game show "Singled Out." Describes how the game show works and why this makes it attractive as an example of strategic behavior. Presents examples of how the show is used in class. (DSK)

Presents a classroom simulation in which one firm pollutes the water used by another. Includes a detailed outline and discussion of the preparations and materials required, and the procedure for running the simulation. Argues that students learn how property rights provide a market solution to pollution costs. (DSK)

Describes a computer-aided supplement to the introductory microeconomics course that enhances students' understanding with simulation-based tools for reviewing what they have learned from lectures and conventional textbooks about comparing market equilibria. Includes a discussion of students' learning progressions and retention after using the…

Reviews the development of computer-aided instruction (CAI) and provides criteria for effective CAI on the World Wide Web. Presents an experimental CAI package called "oo Micro!" intended to satisfy those criteria. Describes the package contents and procedures, and provides an Internet address where a demonstration can be found. (DSK)

Observes that the efficiency case against vouchers in textbook comparisons with income transfers is frequently incorrectly stated, or overstated. Clarifies the debate by deriving the algebraic relations under which a voucher is equivalent to an income transfer, generates no welfare loss, and when conventional views of income transfer superiority…