This engaging, rich resource is designed for teachers, parents, and administrators in diverse schools or districts who know there is no quick fix for building lasting partnerships among families, schools, and communities. Going far beyond traditional "parent involvement programs," this essential volume offers ideas on how teachers and parents…

The essays in this collection, rewritten and expanded especially for this volume, originated as papers that were presented at a 1993 conference on Education for Democracy sponsored by the Mershon Center at The Ohio State University. The contributors from the United States, South Africa, Germany, and Russia, are experts in civic education, problems…

"We the People...The Citizen and the Constitution" is a national civic education program that aims to help elementary and secondary students understand the history and principles of constitutional government. The program focuses on the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights and fosters civic competence and responsibility among students in…

This document, a curriculum guide, grew out of a symposium on the role of secrecy in U.S. foreign policy. The curriculum examines ways in which citizens get information about the government and how government secrecy influences that information. Students analyze covert U.S. involvement in such places as Iran, Guatemala, and Cuba, and consider the…

This document discusses the movement to bring original historical sources into the classroom. Because students of history need access to sources of information that provide direct or primary evidence about reality, teachers must show that realistic alternatives to the traditional history text exist. In the first section of this paper, efforts to…

This document is a collection of three lessons to assist high school teachers in introducing the Arab world to their classrooms. The intended purpose of the lessons is to promote greater cross cultural awareness, understanding of the interdependence of peoples and nations, and appreciation for the different approaches other cultures may choose in…

A challenge on the survival of capitalism and its future is set forth in this document. Although industrial capitalism is strong, five dangers that threaten its survival are cited: (1) the collectivist bias of Western intellectuals; (2) the influence of the ecological apocalyptics; (3) the assault on the market by big government; (4) the…

Human rights issues need to be taught in the context of Western civilization values, using literature and history sources, and not as separate courses based on newsworthy events. Students need to appreciate the desirability of democratic governments and the complexities of introducing democracy to nations lacking political and legal traditions. (9…

This unit is designed to teach students about how a bill becomes law and how interest groups participate in and impact this process. LegiQuest teaches students about the roles of Congress, the President, and the courts in the legislative process. It can be used at the beginning of the course to introduce the functions and branches of government.…

This volume links theory to practice by featuring tested techniques in teaching democracy by being democratic in the classroom. The book is divided into three parts and six chapters with an introduction presenting a theoretical and analytical framework of democracy and democratic pedagogy. Part 1 features "The Democratic Classroom" and includes…

There is a necessary connection between civics and economics in education for democracy. This connection should be reflected in school curricula. This digest discusses: (1) federal legislation and programs promoting civics and economics; (2) the connections between civics and economics in the study of the U.S. Constitution; (3) the status of…

When the Berlin Wall (East Germany) came down, it symbolically foretold the end of the Soviet Union domination of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. This resource guide examines the process toward democratization occurring in those regions. The guide updates the available classroom material on the democratic process. It is divided into three…

Suggests that citizenship education has been defined too literally and narrowly, resulting in loss of meaning for social studies. Argues that schools in the United States rest on solid civic motivations and were never intended to legitimate any particular school subject. Insists that every school subject must be understood to be based on civic…

This article presents an instructional strategy that helps young students perform critical literacy practices that incorporate democratic ideals. The model outlines a plan to stimulate young people's critical engagement with social justice issues. The model features an actual historical event involving young activists in civil rights. The author…

This user guide helps students understand the story of the U.S. flag and the meaning of the stars, stripes, and colors. The focus is on students learning about flags, drawing individual state flags, and researching the meaning behind them; studying other countries flags; discussing the United Nations flag; researching and discussing the history of…