Reviews constitutional history and principles, highlighting our federal republic's dual sovereignties, American citizenry as "ruling class," schooling for citizenship, the original Constitution's defects, and projects to amend the Constitution and approach the democratic ideal. Advises against a second constitutional convention because of…

Discusses a student discipline problem involving a substitute teacher and a student who used foul language in class. The teacher responded with a firm, but venomous, threat that provoked a response from the vice principal's office, but not from the boy's parents. Advocates on-the-spot ethical instruction to maintain credibility and an effective…

Because past educational reform movements were stimulated by events not directly related to schools, the movements' leaders have lacked dependable information about schools' actual effectiveness. This article faults past commissions for their omissions and impractical solutions. Real school improvement happens when school staff and parents…

Juxtaposes two concepts--the deep structure of schooling (based on controlling students) and schools' distinct personalities--to examine problems involving change and resistance to change in American education. Schools' custodial role influences restrictive classroom design and discipline policies. Genuine school improvement must happen at a deep…

Despite commission reports and journal articles advocating mastery learning and effective instruction, grassroots influence is conspicuously missing from the current reform movement. Creative teachers continue to leave the profession, and top students refuse to enter it. Teachers remain essentially powerless, while open education enthusiasts await…

Recent reforms (such as New Jersey's alternative certification requirements) aimed at attracting higher quality teacher candidates, combined with a predicted teacher shortage and changes in professional attitudes and values, are providing increased opportunities for all kinds of teachers. Suddenly, private schools are valuing candidates with…

Horace Mann's goal of creating a common school that brings our society's children together in mutual respect and common learning need not be frustrated by residential segregation and geographical separation of the haves and have-nots. Massachusetts' new common school vision boasts a Metro Program for minority students, 80 magnet schools, and…

Summarizes major opinion differences between the general public and professional educators uncovered in the April 1987 "Phi Delta Kappan" Gallup Poll. Educators differed regarding biggest problems; improvement progress; community school ratings; the voucher system; organized prayer; parental choice of curricular materials; physical education, fine…

School social services may seem highly bureaucratic, with staff members filling narrowly defined roles. In practice, the delivery of social services to high school students faced with pregnancy, alcoholism, divorce, suicide, and other problems is exceedingly informal. Considerable discretion and autonomy are needed to serve students with problems…

Builds on the author's book, "A Conspiracy of Good Intentions: America's Textbook Fiasco." Concludes that tenure rules, scholarly hyperspecialization, widespread contempt for "commercial" writing, and lack of ethical standards are obstacles to textbook reform at all education levels. Advocates sequence of learning tasks in each subject discipline.…

Reviews U.S. immigration history, highlighting the three great migrations, the newest immigrants, their lands of origin (Asia and Latin America), major settlement areas and characteristics, the wave theory of immigration, reasons for immigrating, the changing face of America, and challenges for the schools (higher minority enrollments and…

Explores the problems of an extensive immigrant student population, including traumas of war and violence, racial isolation, economic struggle, and cross-cultural conflicts. Explores solutions to dilemmas involving school access, assessment and placement, tracking and ability grouping, school climate, and support services. An inset describes the…

An unprecedented number of foreign-born children in California classrooms are forcing educators to rethink school programs, structures, policies, and staffing. Schools are largely overwhelmed by demographic changes, war-traumatized and undocumented children, tremendous academic gaps, and cultural and language diversity. Classroom methods and…

The success of Asian-American students has created a "model minority" stereotype of "grade grinds" geared to outperform their native-born peers. However, Asians are from diverse countries and economic backgrounds. Many experience problems with parent and teacher expectations, leave school early, or face hostility from other students and…

As the largest, most culturally diverse group of legal U.S. immigrants, Asian-Americans defy stereotypes. Before involving Asian parents, educators need to reexamine their own feelings, prejudices, and expectations concerning these parents. Understanding Asians' unique social, cultural, and personality traits will aid communication efforts. (MLH)