Surveys the purpose and goals of education in U.S. society, exploring the relationship between power and knowledge. Evaluates educational reform against the criteria of human dignity and meaning, outlining conditions for developing students who understand the power of knowledge and the purpose of education in a democratic republic. (GEA)

Based on an interview with U.S. Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, this article surveys several of the projects launched by the Commission on the Bicentennial of the Constitution. These projects include: the National Historical Pictorial Map Contest; the Bicentennial School Recognition Program; the Bicentennial Educational Grant Program; and the…

Explores the world of textbook preparation, focusing on the revision of "A History of the United States" by Daniel Boorstin and Brooks Kelley. Describes the process of revising each paragraph in a selected section of the book. Surveys the concerns of teachers regarding textbooks and the interests of the students who use them. (GEA)

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)

Presents a study which identifies experienced classroom teachers' beliefs about what should be included in the geography curriculum. Tables show how questionnaire respondents ranked the importance of specific items in three categories: geographic skills, human geography, and physical geography. Concludes that teacher perceptions must be considered…

Surveys the history of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) on the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty. Highlights milestones in the Organization's history of dealing with the Soviet Union, from containment to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Discusses needs, tasks, and challenges that NATO faces in the 1990s.…

Discusses the use of oral history to enliven, enhance, and supplement the standard social studies curriculum. Presents rationales for using oral histories, methods for classroom use, and suggestions for locating interviewees. Includes an annotated list of oral histories that address social issues. (GEA)

Presents a study that examined whether the classroom environments of social studies teachers who have additional coaching responsibilities differ from those who have none. Suggests that required coaching duties for social studies teachers may result in less desirable classroom environments and may be detrimental to social studies programs. (GEA)

Traces the history of the Plessy v. Ferguson case. Includes copies of the U.S. Supreme Court mandate to the Louisiana Supreme Court denying Plessy's request to overturn the Jim Crow law and ordering him to bear the court costs. Provides teaching suggestions for interpreting the document and highlights related topics and questions for research and…

"Using Geography to Teach Comparative Values: Japan and the United States" (H. Flater) uses baseball to introduce junior high students to basic differences in the way various cultures view similar events. "Defining Directionality: Early Learning Experiences that Teach Concepts in a Pragmatic and Engaging Format" (C. Grace ; M. Blockledge)…

The Secretary-General of the United Nations discusses the purposes, principles, fundamental values, and organizational structure of that body. Suggests that educators and students must have a basic understanding of what the United Nations does in order to broaden the public support for this world organization. (KO)

Describes a World Core Curriculum which applies to education of the United Nations framework for dealing with complex issues. Contends that this curriculum gives children a picture of their home and family, a sense of the time flow in which they exist, and an idea of their importance to humanity's progress. (KO)

The permanent U. S. Representative to the United Nations discusses the United States' role at the United Nations. Identifies three contexts in which the United States has been, in recent years, afforded the opportunity to participate in constructive action. Stresses the idea that the United Nations provides a productive forum. (KO)

Discusses the usefulness of the United Nations. Contends that there is no international political body that can cause sovereign states to follow rules they do not accept. Notes that the United Nations has not yet been able to prevent or end a war. Suggests that many UN members resent U.S. power and influence. (KO)

Provides a brief history of the development of the United Nations. Identifies achievements of the United Nations in the promotion of human rights, the translation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into binding international covenants, and the establishment of monitoring mechanisms to ensure the protection of human rights. (KO)