The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) presents a position statement on curriculum guidelines for multiethnic education. A rationale for ethnic pluralism presents goals for school reform; curriculum guidelines describe ideal characteristics of school environments reflecting ethnic pluralism; and a checklist allows assessment of…

The complex media machine of contemporary presidential campaigns is compared to the simpler process of 19th century campaigning. Teachers are referred to books and records which will help students understand history through songs, ballads, and music. (AV)

A history of suffrage in the United States and an examination of voting percentages of the population in recent years show that large groups in our country do not vote. Antiquated voter registration laws prevent members of our highly mobile population from exercising their right to vote. (AV)

The international nature of science, transcending political barriers, is essential for its progress. There is a connection between science and practical affairs, as illustrated by problems of population growth and nuclear energy; such problems can only be resolved through international cooperation in science. (AV)

The author stresses a need for increased history instruction in schools, better teacher training in the field, and more positive attitudes toward its merits within the classroom as well as outside. Education must relate the present to sets of historical experiences in the past. (AV)

Reasons for the current unpopularity of history courses include lack of innovative teaching methods, too much stress on factual data, and lack of information about the post-1937 era. Questions to stimulate teachers of history are offered in cognitive, affective, and evaluation areas. (AV)

A research study of the political socialization needs of the Mexican-American community is described. Over 2000 children in grades 4-8 participated; the purpose was to trace development of their political orientations at successive grade levels and to identify differences between Mexican-American and Anglo-American subgroups. (AV)

Research reviews and statistical analysis of a specific study suggest that the mass media play a direct role in the political socialization of adolescents insofar as overt political behavior is concerned. (Author/AV)

Seven editors from national educational journals, recognizing the need to equip students to cope with environmental disaster, commit themselves to a comprehensive, problem-solving, and interdisciplinary approach to environmental education. (JH)

Two science classroom techniques that can be used in the social studies classroom to motivate students involve puzzling phenomena and relating science to social issues such as over-population, energy, and pollution. (JR)

A model for the joint planning and integration of science and social studies is presented. Curriculum comparisons, topic selection, topic definition and integration, and operational strategies form the basis of the model. Suggestions for implementing the model and evaluation processes are also included. (JR)

Activities using science fiction literature to teach American History topics such as future shock, economics, urbanization, minority studies, politics, international relations, and contemporary America are suggested. (JR)

Problems in textbook content and teaching methods that need to be dealt with include excessive emphasis on conflict as a societal change agent, the supremacy of individual rights, "humanizing" historical figures, the inadequacies of American society, and gimmickry in social studies methodology. (JR)

This response to recent criticisms of the new social studies deals with some of the problems in areas of inquiry, value clarification, humanization, current events, and conflict resolution found in social studies texts. (JR)

Results of an informal survey conducted by members of a curriculum committee of NCSS and others who expressed an interest in social studies curriculum revision and evaluation, describe and evaluate the dissemination and utilization of the NCSS Curriculum Guidelines published in 1971. (JR)