In this first of several articles studying the education of educators and the status of teaching as a profession, the assumptions and postulates underlying this research effort are explained. Assumptions involve the relevancy of knowledge, institutions conceived as reform units, and teaching viewed as value-driven. Includes 23 references. (MLH)

Desiring to become the "Education President," George Bush sees school improvement as the key to restoring America's competitive edge. The federal government, acting as a catalyst for state and local reforms, should monetarily reward outstanding schools, satisfy diverse educational interests, aim federal assistance at high risk students, and stress…

Noting that the Reagan Administration has slashed education aid 16 percent and that the next President will inherit a fiscal mess, Dukakis plans to become the nation's number-one advocate for educational opportunity, good teaching, and adult literacy. He sets forth numerous plans, including a national teachers corps, a college opportunity fund,…

Schools have become fair game as a campaign issue but are not top priority. How the 41st president performs will hinge on the political estate of Ronald Reagan, the high voltage Washington political scene, and the caliber of the team staffing the new administration's education team. So far, the Education Department has failed as a believable…

Reviews some changes witnessed during the past three years in the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI), the only federal government unit explicitly dedicated to supporting systematic inquiry about education. Although dwindling and underfunded, OERI has recently demonstrated some great renewal potential. (MLH)

President Reagan's plan to reduce federal government and increase states' responsibility for public services was designed to encourage competition and efficiency through a "New Federalism." Since 1981, Reagan has reduced federal aid to education by $15 billion, causing problems for individual states, special needs groups, and educational research.…

Half of all 16,023 U.S. school districts are both small and rural. In a decade of nationwide reform, these "forgotten" school districts must fight for survival rather than substantive reform. Teachers in rural Indiana cannot rely on principals for instructional leadership nor on each other for professional enrichment. Includes four references.…

A recent study found that kindergartens in Ohio have become skill-based, academically oriented programs that young children can fail. Children are not the only victims; many teachers, principals, and supervisors are experiencing stress resulting from the increasing emphasis on academics in kindergarten programs. Parental and societal aspirations…

Studies show that programs designed with a strong parent involvement component produce students who perform better than those participating in identical programs with less parental involvement. However, parents and educators disagree about the value of different parental roles. This article examines pertinent issues and future research directions.…

Contrasts the ignorance of Americans with the "geographic elitism" of Canadians, who know where they are but are weak in general geographical knowledge. Restoring geography in the schools will require renewed commitment in universities and teacher training institutions. South Dakota, California, and Arizona provide solid evidence of this revival.…

Uses three specific classroom dilemmas to promote understanding of ethical issues and reasoning involved in teaching. Examines the conflicting principles of benefit maximization and equal respect for persons as a springboard for moral reflection. (MLH)

Formulating and enforcing a code of ethics are characteristics of professional occupations. Such a code has not emerged, and never will, so long as collective bargaining is the dominant employment relations form in education. Unions formed to protect their members cannot accept the "management" responsibility for disciplining unethical behavior.…

Describes the adventures of a South Carolina teacher who moonlighted for 10 years as a home teacher for pregnant, injured, and other housebound students. Desite the intrinsic rewards involved, she eventually resigned due to low pay and burnout. Specific students and their problems are described. (MLH)

Because American history and social studies textbooks are "official chronicles of the nation's past and influence the next generation's social understanding, content controversies abound. This article discusses the editorial ahistoricism, arid language, and disembodied figures characterizing most texts, reviews past successful models, and suggests…

Discusses the dismal results of the 1986 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) appraisal of American high school students' knowledge about history and literature. Explores connections between cultural literacy and students' family background, homework, and television viewing habits. Recommends more and better history and literature…