Presents results of a study of school administrators to determine support for the responsibility of social studies teachers to deal with controversial issues. Examines the influence of administrators on teacher decisions. Concludes that expressed support for dealing with controversial issues and critical thinking may appear more substantive than…

Asserts that history for primary-level children should be organized around key ideas that characterize the field of history. Maintains that such everyday concepts such as time, change, the continuity of human life, and the past can be taught to young children and can be used as a foundation for later historical thinking. (CFR)

Asserts that, for citizens in a democracy to understand and act upon complex societal issues, they must be able to integrate knowledge from a variety of subjects. Traces the history of interdisciplinary social studies education and examines arguments of its supporters and detractors. (CFR)

Reports on a review of 25 content analysis studies of social studies textbooks published between 1982 and 1992. Finds that many of the problems noted in other types of social studies research also are evident in these studies. Provides recommendations for improving the quality of content analysis studies. (CFR)

Reports on a survey of school administrators and teachers regarding the relationship between the status of elementary social studies and the goal of personal development for the greater good of society. Finds that competition for resources, low student interest, and an uneven curriculum have pushed social studies to the background. (CFR)

Discusses how Cold War ideological models provide a way to examine the U.S. role in world affairs. Discusses and compares on the writings of Paul Gagnon and Noam Chomsky on this topic. Concludes that students should stand outside both models to develop a meaningful perspective on the U.S. role during the Cold War. (CFR)

Evaluates the "expanding environments" approach to social studies education. Argues that the sequence fails to portray the political environment realistically. Suggests an alternative approach that would bring all political organization levels together at each grade level. Concludes that such an approach would give students a more accurate idea of…

Asserts that social studies in North America has been defined most often as fundamentally concerned with preparing students for participation in civic life. Reviews research and summarizes findings on citizenship education in English Canada since 1988. (CFR)

Reports on 29 veteran secondary social studies teachers' reactions and responses to the New Social Studies movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Results indicate the magnitude of the gulf that exists between the concerns of theorists and the issues that are important to teachers. (CFR)

Contends that pluralistic democracy relies on conflict of ideas and participative decision making. Reports on case studies of two different approaches to teaching world studies. Finds that both approaches encouraged students to participate actively, but others remained silent during the discussion. (CFR)

Reviews 11 normative principles of capitalist economics. Contends that these principles form the basis for much of economics education in the United States and Western society. Argues that to save the world from massive environmental degradation, economics education must be completely restructured to focus on ecological concerns. (CFR)

Contends collective cooperative action in the public interest will be necessary to solve future social and environmental problems. Proposes that the social studies curriculum shift its value orientation from individualistic self-interest to a justice-based, global model. Advocates teaching citizenship that stresses self-restraint and investigates…

Discusses an examination of six teacher education programs designed to foster global awareness. Concludes that the programs possess (1) similar views of global education; (2) diverse program offerings and support services; (3) strengths in content achievement and collaboration with other schools and organizations; and (4) institutional support.…

Reviews the social studies goal of citizenship education. Describes the goals, instructional techniques, evaluation methods, and classroom management strategies used in the Mississippi Freedom Schools during the middle 1960s. Contends that these schools could be used as a model for effective social studies instruction today. (CFR)

Contends that social studies suffers from a lack of a clear and solid foundation. Maintains that the principles, content, and practices of democracy should be considered as the foundation for social studies education. (CFR)