In this article, the author addresses classroom teachers, department heads, and supervisors who have direct contact with students and what they learn. They need to tell students, parents, policymakers, and everyone else that social studies is critical and that the NCSS mission statement is not just a nice set of words, but absolutely crucial to…

Academic staff (n = 305) and administrative staff (n = 595) at a large urban, Catholic, and religious order teaching university completed on-line school sense of community, social desirability, and mission-identity plus mission-driven activity measures. Partial correlates (controlling for social desirability) indicated that for both faculty and…

Stating that the primary function of textbooks is to transmit quantity and quality of knowledge, Woodward argues that photographs and other design features should be relevant to the topic, extending learning beyond the written text. Presents recommendations for evaluating the instructional quality of textbook photographs. (GEA)

Discusses the need for intercultural interaction as content within the school experience. Notes that schools are host to a broad range of students and that successful outcomes between and among people of diversity depend upon the development of positive relationships. Provides educators with an expanded definition of cultural difference. (KO)

Offers information useful to educators interested in implementing community-service programs. Provides estimates of students' participation in community service in U. S. high schools; describes the nature of the programs and students' experiences; and reports data which illustrate that the potential for influencing civic responsibility may not yet…

Describes the establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee on Scope and Sequence by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). Outlines the responsibilities of the Committee, the process used to formulate curriculum criteria and the resultant criteria for social studies education curriculum design. (SLM)

Provides the recommended scope and sequence for social studies from the National Council for the Social Studies Task Force on Scope and Sequence. Outlines the knowledge base and skills which undergird social studies education, and gives grade level examples of the substantive content from K-12. Offers a chart which gives optional sequences for…

Offers a thematic approach for social studies scope and sequence. Outlines 10 themes which are offered at each grade level K-12 providing the scope for the curriculum. Illustrates how higher-order thinking and inquiry can be incorporated into the program and outlines the content for grades K-12. (SLM)

Presents a scope and sequence for social studies grounded in global education. Four essential elements set the boundaries for the scope of the curriculum: (1) the study of systems; (2) the study of human values; (3) the study of persistent issues; and (4) the study of global history. Illustrates how these themes are sequenced throughout grades…

Surveyed 800 randomly selected classroom teachers who were members of the National Council for the Social Studies on the following questions: Are computers available for use in social studies classes? If available, are they used? How are they used? and What are teachers' attitudes regarding computers and the training to use them? Tables of…

Discusses integration of computer-based technology into the social studies curriculum. Suggests that the developmental nature of computer integration into instruction makes quantitative hardware-based technology standards unworkable. Recommends the integration of computers into the curriculum in stages based on the degree of training of teachers…

Provides direction for developing appropriate, meaningful social studies instruction for the middle school. Identifies characteristics of early adolescents that have a direct relationship to curriculum design and the selection of appropriate social studies instruction strategies. Offers National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)…

Presents a National Council for the Social Studies position paper. Describes a vision of K-12 social studies teaching and learning to develop levels of social understanding and civic efficacy essential for participatory citizenship. Advocates curriculum content and teaching methods that are relevant, challenging, and active. (CFR)

Reports on a study of how the three-way encounter among Europeans, the indigenous Americans, and Africans is presented in six secondary U.S. history textbooks. Describes the evaluation instrument and process used to review the textbook content. Concludes that teachers should use supplementary materials to ensure balance. (CFR)

Describes the German system of vocational training that bridges the transition from school to work. Explains that the system has developed a highly qualified workforce and minimized youth unemployment. Contends that a commitment to preparing students for the workforce and close cooperation between the private and public sectors are the primary…