In this article, the author talks about the proper place of theory in educational history and shares his comments on the essays by Eileen Tamura, Carolyn Eick, and Roland Coloma. Eileen Tamura's positing of most educational historians as practitioners of narrative history is surely on the mark. She invites historians of education to investigate…

During World War II, female students at the University of California, Berkeley--then the most populous undergraduate campus in American higher education--made significant advances in collegiate life. In growing numbers, women enrolled in male-dominated academic programs, including mathematics, chemistry, and engineering, as they prepared for…

Critically reviews two books addressing themes on childhood and family history. One deals with family life among affluent planters in pre-Civil War North Carolina and the other details the concept of childhood in the 16th century. Concludes that themes of discovery of childhood and modern family emergence merit possible reevaluation. (TRS)

Critically reviews four books addressing the concept and causes of child-saving and reform efforts. Themes include abuse, neglected children, societies, institutional sentiments, welfare, and British reform. Also assesses debates on the child-saving movement, including the government's role and historical perspectives on the concept of family…

Literature must be used cautiously as evidence in social-historical research, but it can provide important information if the literature used is chosen carefully. Tressell's book, "The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists," is used as an example which can provide information about literacy among the English working class of the early…

Discusses influences of the Troy Female Seminary, the first permanent institution offering American women a curriculum similar to that of contemporary men's colleges. Also discusses the role of founder Emma Willard in the social history of the nineteenth century and in the diffusion of feminist values. (KC)

Discusses attitudes and characteristics of northern female teachers from the American Missionary Society who volunteered to instruct newly-freed slaves after the Civil War. In the South, these women supplemented moral self-righteousness with a strong sense of professionalism to produce challenges to their male superiors in the areas of educational…

Explores the relationship between institutional structures and social values in nineteenth century England by examining features of traditional private girls' schools. Concludes that the reformed institutions served the interests of the feminist movement by answering to the social needs and cultural values of various social groups associated with…

Examines dominant 20th century liberal philosophy of social and educational reform, discusses research on the topic, criticism engendered, and areas which need more careful and extended inquiry. (Author/KC)

Questions whether people during the past century had access to a range of reading materials and asks whether various groups of people acquired different levels of literacy skills. Concludes that the United States needs educational and cultural policies that will increase literacy skills while fostering the variety of materials read by citizens.…