Eight-page sample issue intended to acquaint American Federation of Teachers (AFT) members with a source of well-written reports, summaries, and reviews of developments in the field of education; and to solicit subscription to the periodical. (FMW)

Reviews the California History-Social Science Framework, the new state curriculum guide for the teaching of elementary and secondary social studies. Emphasizes the Framework's focus on history and geography, and citizenship education. (FMW)

The Japanese education system provides a model for American school reform that effectively links school with entry into the workforce. Japanese schools maintain close relationships with businesses that expect teachers to nominate high-achieving students for jobs after graduation. (FMW)

Compares the traditional textbook-based elementary science teaching method with the following innovative approaches: (1) Inquiry; (2) Science-Technology-Society (STS); and (3) Conceptual Change. Argues that the Conceptual Change approach has the greatest impact on student thinking and permits teachers to focus on important aspects. (FMW)

A teacher in an inner-city London school describes how she involves low income, minority group students in learning classics such as Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar." Emphasizes cooperative learning and active student involvement using their urban background. (FMW)

Wiktor Kulerski, Deputy Minister of Poland's Ministry of Education, and Andrzej Janowski, a Vice-Minister of Education, members of the Solidarity union's teachers branch, discuss their involvement with the union that forced democratic reforms in Poland's Communist government and ensuing changes in the Polish social studies curriculum. (FMW)

Discusses reforms of the traditional elementary school curriculum in the "History-Social Science Framework for California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve" (1987). Emphasizes a history-centered curriculum drawing widely on the social sciences and humanities and involving students in developmentally appropriate…

Arguments for and against school choice are presented. Claims on both sides often obscure the complexities, dilemmas, and tradeoffs involved. If diversity and choice become ends in themselves, if choice is not coupled with fundamental reform and the quest for excellence, the choices may be empty ones. (Author/VM)

Interdisciplinary teams of middle school faculty are fulfilling roles which serve academic, social, and emotional needs of students. The team coordinates procedures and shares information about teaching and about students. Evidence shows this style of team teaching may be appropriate in high schools if traditional departmental barriers can be…

A new definition of teaching must replace traditional modes of instruction. Intellectual growth is best encouraged by assisting, rather than assessing, student performance. Classrooms must be settings which maximize opportunities for participation and conversation. Definitions and practical applications are given for Vygotsky's term "zone of…

Organizing time into equal periods and moving at intervals from task to task is inefficient, yet most schools use this rigid scheduling method. Better ways of operating include the following: (1) teach required and elective subjects together; (2) devise double period seminars; and (3) combine back to back scheduling with team teaching. (VM)

Describes the significant change in Arkansas State public policy on education during the tenure of Governor Bill Clinton. Details the political ups and downs of Clinton's initiatives, particularly teacher competency tests. Offers a postscript on Clinton's initiatives and a side bar on the Home Instructional Program for Preschool Youngsters. (JB)

Offers excerpts from a California State Education Department publication on curriculum reform ("It's Elementary!") that describes what elementary school students should be learning in subject areas and highlights character education. The subject areas covered are language arts, mathematics, history-social science, and science. (JB)

Describes and provides samples from a book on art appreciation by looking at landscape paintings with children. Reproduces four paintings, offers questions to use with students, and presents information on the artists and their pictures. The paintings are by George Inness, Henri Rousseau, Stuart Davis, and Edward Hopper. (JB)

Presents a guide to the best humorous writing for children. Discusses the role of humorous books in coaxing reluctant readers to greater involvement in books. Analyzes types of humor and comedy while describing over 20 titles. (JB)