Interviewed six beginning elementary teachers regarding the impact of New York City's high stakes testing culture on their classroom practice. Respondents explained that testing had become a focal point of daily classroom practice. They found the culture of testing troublesome, noting its negative impact on education. They expressed feelings…

Though America's students are increasingly diverse, most preservice educators have white, middle-class perspectives and cannot imagine teaching in multicultural urban schools. Six preservice teachers describe their experiences visiting a Harlem school, demonstrating that even brief visits can prompt students to critically examine their implicit…

Discusses Alfie Kohn's argument that developing caring, thoughtful citizens via character education is preferable to creating the obedient, unreflective workers cultivated by many programs. Suggests focusing not only on classroom culture, but also on school culture, describing a New York City model for developing caring and reflective communities…