Presents a scathing review of supply-side economics and its effect on social programs. Argues that the Reagan administration purposefully incurred massive government debt in order to justify reducing social spending. Maintains that Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney followed a similar course. Includes trenchant criticism of Canada's public…

Asserts that contemporary history and historiography is "official" history that ignores the daily struggles of people for their continued survival. Argues that, while public illiteracy has nearly disappeared, individuals are ignorant of the wealth of primary-source materials of other cultures' histories. (CFR)

Describes adolescent development in a family where children were treated as equal partners in decision making and behavior. Maintains that adolescents will grow from the relationship of shared power and responsibility. Discusses issues such as sexuality, television viewing, and athletics. (CFR)

Criticizes calls for national competency testing for Canadian students. Argues that thinking skills are too complex, and standardized tests too simplistic, for such tests to be valuable. Points out that testing alone does not improve education. Examines why standardized tests are appealing. Concludes that the tests are useful if their limits are…

Explores the conflict between education and market goals. Observes that free enterprise differs in goals, motivation, methods, and standards of excellence. Argues that the conflict between the two sets of values is a crisis that is going unnoticed. Suggests that education can lift the market system and serve its needs for literate and numerate…

Asserts that Canadian schools should be educating students in the historically developed subjects matters. Suggests that a back-to-basics approach to education fails to appreciate the traditional subject matters as great sagas of human discovery. Concludes that schools are largely anti-intellectual places that are not inquiry driven and do not…

Examines the conflict between the "politically correct" movement and educational "traditionalists." Suggests that the "politically correct" view seeks to purge sexism, racism, and economic classism, whereas traditionalists desire to inject values into education. Identifies the one-sidedness of each position. Argues…

Contends that evaluating teaching is just as important as evaluating students. Argues that most teacher evaluation does not examine what students actually learn from the teacher. Recommends the use of written entry performance tests and subsequent written tests to evaluate teaching effectiveness. (CFR)

Addresses the problem of bureaucratic control over what is taught and how in the classroom. Suggests that only by allowing classroom teachers to be part of curriculum decisions will public schools promote the growth of academic freedom and creative thinking. Argues that quality teaching is more important than political safety or obedient teachers.…

Discusses contemporary, dichotomous views of markets: the global market is "good"; other (more local) markets are bad. Argues that nonglobal markets are viewed as obstacles to the global market that must be removed, despite their roots in local cultures and provision of services not available in the global market. (DSK)

Ponders where religion fits into public education and whether religious corporations should be kept out of public schools. Concludes that the moral principles found in religion should be taught through exploration of world religions only if the instruction is informed and adheres to ultimate principles and values by which to live. (CMK)

Reviews the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) being negotiated by member states of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Describes the contents of the MAI, including draft articles on the rights of transnational corporations. Critiques the Agreement on economic and political grounds, and suggests how this is…

Observes that decisions to cut bureaucratic waste in Canada's educational system rests with the bureaucracy itself. Maintains that most schools could productively institute a limited form of teacher-oriented self-administration, thereby reducing and streamlining educational administration. Argues that most educational administration is…

Criticizes the University of Toronto for its links to businesses deemed unsavory by the author. Places these academic-corporate links within a general framework of integration between Canada's leading educational and business institutions. Questions an educational system that appears to the author to have wealth generation as its highest goal.…