To the Reader

Topic Guide

Selected World Wide Web Sites

xiii

UNIT 1 How Others See us and How We See Ourselves

Four articles examine today's most significant educational issues: the debate over privatization, the equality of schools, and the current public opinion about U.S. schools

Unit Overview

xvi

The Changing Landscape of U.S. Education

(4)

James C. Carper

This article offers a series of historical observations on the relationships between private and public funding of schools in the United States. It attempts to relate the present state of affairs in American education to the educational landscape of the distant past

Youth Vote 2000: They'd Rather Volunteer

(5)

Michael deCourcy Hinds

This article surveys the reasons why young American voters choose to vote or not to vote in American presidential elections. It explores the reasons why young Americans are eager to volunteer for public service but feel alienated from the political process

Crisis in Education: Workforce Development

(6)

M. Blouke Carus

The author surveys the educational challenges related to the development of a competent workforce in the American economy during the new century. He offers eight suggestions for the improvement of American school systems. He also makes suggestions for the improvement of teacher education

The 33rd Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools

(19)

Lowell C. Rose

Alec M. Gallup

This annual poll of the public's attitude toward the public school system continues to be a very valuable source of information regarding the current state of publicly supported education

UNIT 2 Rethinking and Changing the Educative Effort

Four articles discuss the tension between ideals and socioeconomic reality at work in today's educational system

Unit Overview

(18)

The Political Construction of Accountability

(6)

Lance D. Fusarelli

This essay explores the political contexts of school reform. It is a case study concerning the state of Texas's attempt to improve student performance through the provision of charter schools within the state's public schools, especially those schools which serve at-risk students in urban high schools

Privatizing Education: The Politics of Vouchers

(6)

Sheila Suess Kennedy

The author explores the political debate regarding educational vouchers. It is an interesting explanation of the political contexts surrounding these specific educational reform efforts. The question is raised as to whether educational vouchers are truly in the American public interest

School-to-Work: Has it Worked?

(2)

Sandy Cutshall

This report focuses on a federally funded school-to-work program that attempts to assist many secondary school students in developing career oriented educational goals

Schools That Work

(2)

Ben Wildavsky

This article compares school reform efforts in Texas and California with some observations regarding the effectiveness of school reform initiatives in the rest of the United States. This is a very interesting comparison of some of the effects of school reform efforts

UNIT 3 Striving for Excellence: The Drive for Quality

Eight selections examine the debate over achieving excellence in education by addressing issues relating to questions of how best to teach and how best to test

Unit Overview

(36)

What Does it Mean to Say a School is Doing Well?

(6)

Elliot W. Eisner

Elliot Eisner discusses issues regarding the quality of schools in the United States. He discusses some of the characteristics of U.S. educational systems and how they compare to educational systems in other nations. He also offers some critical remarks on the methods of testing students in state school systems. Finally, he suggests meaningful alternatives that might be instituted to determine how well schools are doing

The Closing of the American Mind

(2)

Allan E. Goodman

This speech reflects an ongoing concern regarding the quality of American intellectual life. Opportunities for higher educational studies around the world and opportunities for advanced studies on the Internet are addressed

Conclusion: Polar Positions on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS): Pragmatism and the Politics of Neglect

(6)

Henry T. Trueba

Through his focus on Texas, Henry Trueba engages in a critical analysis of issues related to the educational accountability efforts across the United States. The Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) is discussed in terms of its effects on students

Summertime and School Isn't Easy

(4)

Jodie Morse

This is a report on the use of summer schooling to improve the quality of educational outcomes. This has always been an alternative for American public schools as well as private ones. Summer school is not easy, but it does help

Fighting the Tests

(9)

Alfie Kohn

This essay is a spirited critique of the use of standardized tests as they are presently conceived and used. It represents a very thoughtful and insightful discussion of what it might mean to really achieve excellence in education

High Percentages Are Not the Same as High Standards

(2)

Thomas R. Guskey

The issue of cutoff percentages for school grades is discussed in this article. The author argues that this is a complex question and that cutoff scores do not necessarily reflect progress in the quest for excellence in schooling

Saving Standards

(2)

Charles Nevi

Charles Nevi explores the use of standardized achievement tests to assess the quality of student learning. He proposes having adults take state-required proficiency tests and then comparing the adults' results with the students' scores to develop a more reasonable assessment of what students should be able to achieve

Welcome to Standardsville

(3)

Alan C. Jones

The author offers several interesting suggestions for improving the quality of students' work in schools. He lists several reasons for rejecting the ways in which standardized measures of students' achievement are used today

UNIT 4 Morality and Values in Education

Four articles examine the role of American schools in exploring humanistic and character education and in teaching morality and social values

Unit Overview

(22)

Humanistic Education to Character Education: An Ideological Journey

(3)

E. H. Robinson III

Karyn Dayle Jones

B. Grant Hayes

In this essay what used to be called ``humanistic education'' is related to the formation of human character, the philosophical underpinnings of character education are briefly explored, and some of the background of the humanistic education movement is detailed

From Values Clarification to Character Education: A Personal Journey

(9)

Howard Kirschenbaum

Howard Kirschenbaum was one of the founders of the ``values clarification'' movement of the 1970s and 1980s. Here, he recounts his intellectual journey over the years to what he defines and understands as ``character education.'' The author's unique intellectual work in the areas of moral education and values clarification is clearly delineated

Exit Interviews: Learning About Character Education From Post-Soviet Educators

104

(4)

Perry L. Glanzer

This observation of character education in the former Soviet Union clearly reflects the opinions of American analysts during the long ideological standoff with the Soviet Union. This essay is nontheless an informative foray into what character education in the former Soviet Union involved

What Does Research Say About Sexuality Education?

108

(4)

Douglas Kirby

Issues related to the goals of sex education in schools are briefly surveyed by the author, and questions regarding the nature of such programs are briefly addressed. ``Abstinence-only'' and ``abstinence-plus'' programs are compared

UNIT 5 Managing Life in Classrooms

Three selections consider the importance of building effective teacher-student and student-student relationships in the classroom

Unit Overview

112

(16)

Creating School Climates That Prevent School Violence

114

(9)

Reece L. Peterson

Russell Skiba

In this report, the authors explore strategies on how to prevent school violence. Strategies for improving school discipline and preventing violent situations in schools are discussed. Suggestions for improving the quality of the social climate in schools are also explored

Classroom Management: Seventy-Three Suggestions for Secondary School Teachers

123

(3)

Edward Brainard

The author of this essay focuses on how teachers can establish positive learning environments in their classrooms. Seventy-three specific suggestions are offered for teachers to establish good learning environments

One Class, and 20 Learning Styles

126

(2)

David L. Marcus

The issue of ``learning style'' is discussed to help the reader understand how teachers can improve their classroom management skills by becoming more aware of the ways in which students learn

UNIT 6 Cultural Diversity and Schooling

Five articles discuss issues relating to fairness and justice for students from all cultural backgrounds and how curricula should respond to culturally pluralistic student populations

Unit Overview

128

(30)

Needed: A New Educational Civil Rights Movement

130

(6)

Evans Clinchy

Equity issues are raised in this essay regarding the civil rights of students as they pertain to current practices in American schools. The author clearly calls for a new civil rights movement in American education that will be based upon fairer standards of evaluation of student progress

Excellence for All in Minneapolis

136

(4)

Carol R. Johnson

Ross Taylor

The authors explore the efforts of the Minneapolis Public Schools to provide optimal education opportunities for all of their students

Teaching Tolerance in Public and Private Schools

140

(6)

Kenneth Godwin

Carrie Ausbrooks

Valerie Martinez

The authors provide a clear and a meaningful perception of the nature of both prejudice and tolerance. They discuss how democratic values can be transmitted to the young and how to teach tolerance. Possible differences between public and private schools in this regard are also explored

Promoting Educational Equity in a Period of Growing Social Inequity: The Silent Contradictions of Texas Reform Discourse

146

(6)

Gary L. Anderson

This essay reveals important equity issues that can arise due to efforts at school reform and increased student performance. Education as a form of cultural capital is a theme the author uses to identify dilemmas in achieving equality of educational opportunity for all

Meeting the Challenge of the Urban High School

152

(6)

Joyce Baldwin

This is a report on developing strategies to help urban high schools meet the challenges that confront them. It describes the academic and social challenges that students face as they come to high school from challenging socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds

UNIT 7 Serving Special Needs and Concerns

Three articles examine some of the important aspects of special educational needs and building cooperative learning communities in the classroom setting

Unit Overview

158

(14)

Facing the Challenges of a Changing Labor Market

160

(4)

Lori L. Crockett

Lori Crockett describes efforts made to assist students in preparing for the challenges of a changing labor market. Some successful work orientation and work/school collaborations are noted. The author also describes organizations and programs that assist schools in helping students in their transition from school to meaningful careers

The Many Faces of Constructivism

164

(4)

David Perkins

In this article, David Perkins presents a most in formative description of the many forms of constructivist teaching and curriculum development. Perkins makes the point that there are many variations on the constructivist theory of curriculum and instruction

Yesterday's Principal, Today's Legal Eagle

168

(4)

Kelley R. Taylor

The author explores some of the most important legal responsibilities that a school principal has. Several areas of civil rights are noted, and the need for vigilance concerning these rights is stressed

UNIT 8 The Profession of Teaching Today

Five articles assess the current state of teaching in U.S. schools and how well today's teachers approach subject matter learning

Unit Overview

172

(30)

Can Professional Certification for Teachers Reshape Teaching as a Career?

174

(8)

Susan Moore Johnson

The concept of staged careers in the teaching profession is raised by Susan Moore Johnson. The idea of ``stages'' in teaching was first introduced by the Carnegie Corporation reports several years ago as part of the proposal for a national certification of teachers. The author offers observations on the present status of this effort and explores the future of nationally certified teachers

Changing Classrooms by Treating Teachers as Active Learners

182

(4)

Kimberly C. Gray

The author explores how teachers can be empowered to improve their learning in ways that could transform their professional lives. Constructivist teaching and learning to empower teachers to become more active as learners is emphasized

Spending on Instructional Staff Support Among Big City School Districts: Why Are Urban Districts Spending at Such High Levels?

186

(9)

Kieran M. Killeen

David H. Monk

Margaret L. Plecki

The level of spending on professional inservice staff instructional support is one indicator of a school district's commitment to the professional well-being of its teachers. The authors of this article describe why leadership teams of many urban school districts consider this professional effort to be vital in achieving their educational objectives

Building a Community in Our Classroom: The Story of Bat Town, U.S.A.

195

(4)

Andrea McGann Keech

This case study describes how a teacher built civic education into the daily life of her classroom. It is an example of what can happen when a creative teacher and her students decide to construct a real community of learners. Students learned valuable social skills as well as valuable information on civic life

The Sensitiveness of the Soul

199

(3)

Thomas Peterson

Thomas Peterson explores the humane dimensions to life as a teacher working to help students. It is a sensitive, caring exploration of what a teacher is able to do to help students deal with life's challenges. The author says that teachers must develop empathy for the concerns of their students

UNIT 9 A Look to the Future

Two articles look at new forms of schooling that break from traditional conceptions of education in America

Unit Overview

202

(17)

How We Can Anticipate Future Events

204

(8)

Edward Cornish

Edward Cornish writes, ``the past gives us knowledge and experience, and the present gives us the power to change things; together, the past and present allow us to envision-and shape-the future.'' The future of education depends on what we do in the present as well as on how well we understand our past

The New Century: Is It Too Late for Transformational Leadership?

212

(7)

Elaine Wilmore

Cornell Thomas

The authors consider the possibilities before us in the field of education in the light of what educators have experienced in the past. They attempt to anticipate what the future of education might be, and they raise the question as to what forms of educational leadership may be needed in the future

Index

219

(3)

Test Your Knowledge Form

222

(1)

Article Rating Form

223