There are at least two good reasons to pay serious attention to the latest skirmish in the social studies wars. First, it is one of the most prominent examples of "movement conservatism" to involve established social studies researchers; and secondly, it provides an opportunity for social educators to scrutinize the fundamental dilemma embedded in…

Believes that social educators must respond to alienation in society that is the cause of disconnections among people when trying to build a stronger democracy. Examines the idea of alienation within society and addresses how social educators can keep their values as they teach. (CMK)

Focuses on the issue of technology within education. Addresses various issues related to e-learning and children, such as if computers really motivate children to learn quicker and better and if computers connect children to the world. Discusses the issue of distance education within the higher education environment. (CMK)

Focuses on the book "Civic Illiteracy and Education: The Battle for the Hearts and Minds of American Youth" (John Marciano) and Marciano's stated views. Explains that the book offers a starting point for addressing the state of civic education beyond the information gleaned from test scores. (CMK)

Questions the findings from the civics portion of the 1998 National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP). Instead of advocating a back-to-basics approach, believes that citizenship should be taught in ways that promote explorations of the social, political, and economic conditions in which the students live. (DAJ)

Discusses the problems and benefits of implementing portfolio evaluation in a preservice teacher social studies methods course. Maintains that adopting portfolio assessment opens the way for students to construct alternative conceptions of teaching. Includes criteria for the development and evaluation of students' portfolios. (MJP)

Maintains that standardized testing undermines efforts for quality teaching and learning in public schools. Discusses the misconceptions behind the focus on testing and why testing does not improve student achievement or schools. Reviews the efforts and sacrifices teachers, parents, and students have made in resisting standardized testing. (CMK)

States that the National Education Summit and the report by Public Agenda, "Standards and Accountability: Where the Public Stands," are examples of how neoliberal democracy thwarts participation by parents, teachers, students, and community members. Focuses on Public Agenda's report, parents' reactions to standards, and the idea of paying teachers…

Focuses on Proposition 187, which would have forced the expulsion of undocumented immigrant children from California public schools, required educators to report them and their parents to federal immigration authorities, and prevented undocumented immigrants from receiving social and health care. Considers the aftermath of Proposition 187…

Compares the American Federation of Teachers' pamphlet, "Education for Democracy: A Statement of Principles," to H. Gordon Hullfish's views on democratic education expressed in 1955. Stating that the pamphlet is an "unabashed call for political indoctrination," Ross argues that the best education for citizens in a democracy is one that exemplifies…

Discusses a report, "Different Drummers: How Teachers of Teachers View Public Education," on how education professors view public education. Argues that the report may have been biased by the political attitudes of its sponsoring organization. Examines how this could have produced the "professor bashing" that the researcher finds in the report.…

Argues that contemporary educational reform rhetoric hides policies that reinforce socioeconomic differences among students. Asks what it means to teach for a democratic society. Reviews the answers debated by participants in a conference on this issue, especially those centered on the Whole Schooling Consortium. (DSK)

Discusses the boycott of meetings in California by the College and University Faculty Assembly (CUFA) of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) because of the passage of Proposition 187. Uses the decision for the boycott as a means to explore the notions of democracy, citizenship, and citizenship education. (CMK)

Addresses the problems of standards-based reforms and testing, specifically in New York State. Asserts that community members, such as teachers, students, and parents, must be allowed to participate in educational reforms of teaching and learning conditions. (CMK)

Maintains that the debate over the social studies curriculum has been heavily influenced by a small group of conservative foundations, academics, and the federal government. These groups work toward creating an ideological consensus that promotes a national identity and strives to preserve European American dominant culture. (MJP)