Education 2004-2005

UNIT 1. How Others See Us and How We See Ourselves 1. When I Was Young, John Fetto, American Demographics, April 2003 The author reports on extraordinarily important challenges reflecting changes in American population statistics between 1950 and the present. The author notes that more Americans are going to school and staying in school longer. The demographic information in this report is very informative regarding the current social contexts of American education. 2. Is America Raising Unhealthy Kids?, Denise Willi, Scholastic Instructor, March 2003 Current health issues affecting millions of American children and adolescents are reported in this article. There are valuable data reported on unhealthy dietary practices that are affecting the overall well-being of children in the United States. Other important health issues are also addressed. 3. The 'Re-Engineered' Child, Andrea Petersen, Wall Street Journal, April 8, 2003 This is a very interesting report on issues related to how children today in some school districts are being "re-engineered" to make them "nicer" according to some adult standards. This brief article raises some important issues in how American schooling is being conducted that merit closer examination. 4. College Isn't for Everyone, W. J. Reeves, USA Today Magazine (Society for the Advancement of Education), May 2003 The author of this piece raises very important points about college that those within American higher education since the 1960s are aware of. College is really not for everyone. 5. More Families Hide Assets to Qualify for Financial Aid, Michelle Higgins, Wall Street Journal, March 12, 2003 This brief report on how American families who can afford college represent themselves financially to desirable institutions of higher learning to gain possible advantage for their students presses home points that the public needs to consider. The "aid game" is well known among middle and upper middle class families. 6. The 35th Annual Phi Delta Kappan/Gallup Poll of the Public Attitudes Toward the Public Schools, Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, Phi Delta Kappan, September 2003 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 7. Reinventing America's Schools, Tony Wagner, Phi Delta Kappan, May 2003 The author presents a very convincing case for responsible reconception of how schooling should be perceived. In doing this, he touches on the reality of life in classrooms, and he sends a message that all American public school administrators should be willing to hear. 8. There Is Another Way: A Different Approach to Education Reform, Ben Levin and John Wiens, Phi Delta Kappan, May 2003 The authors demonstrate a very good comprehension of defensible bases for school reform. Their perspective is well balanced and very pertinent to the exigencies of educational reform. They are aware of the cultural contextual concerns that must be addressed in school reform efforts. This report was based on the school reform efforts in the province of Manitoba in Canada. The politics of educational change are well demonstrated here. 9. Kudzu, Rabbits, and School Reform, John I. Goodlad, Phi Delta Kappan, September 2002 This article is an articulate review of current problems with the school reform effort. The author speaks of "eduviruses" sweeping over the landscape. This is a witty and very well done sardonic look at "educational reform" in the United States. 10. Four-Day School Week?, Greta Durr, State Legislatures, May 2003 The idea of a four-day school week has been around for a long time in the United States. In order to cut costs, it is being implemented in some states, and other states are considering it. The issues surrounding this move are briefly summarized here. 11. School Choice Really, Bill Kauffman, The American Enterprise, April/May 2003 The issue of "school choice" is still a potent one in the United States. Here we have a brief report supporting this concept and offering some valuable insights. It is part of a major effort to provide alternative paths for the education of American students. 12. Sweeten the Pot for Middle America, Frederick Hess, The American Enterprise, April/May 2003 In this article, the author argues that gaining the support of suburban middle-class parents is critically important in attempts to gain broader levels of support for school choice proposals. Commenting on recent efforts by both political conservatives and urban minority groups to work for school choice proposals, he addresses the need to broaden the political bases for conservative school reform. 13. Last Holdout Against Educational Freedom, Charles Glenn and Jan de Groof, The American Enterprise, April/May 2003 The authors compare school choice efforts in the United States with such efforts in other nations. Their argument is that the American people should support the use of public funds to allow parents to choose what schools their children will attend. They critique the objections offered by defenders of current public schools to the use of public funds and argue for alternative types of schools from which parents can choose. A comparative international perspective is offered. UNIT 3. Striving for Excellence: The Drive for Quality 14. Classroom Crisis: It's About Time, Claudia Meek, Phi Delta Kappan, April 2003 This author offers a very revealing case study of the many demands on school time and how these demands play out in a typical school day in the classroom. The author's perspective reveals many of the important issues facing classroom teachers as they strive for educational excellence. 15. Needed: Homework Clubs for Young Adolescents Who Struggle With Learning, Joseph Sanacore, The Clearing House, November/December 2002 In this article the author describes how the development of homework clubs can improve the academic performance of middle school students. He provides a rationale for why and how this should be done. The learning issues of struggling learners are discussed, along with samples of how the clubs should be organized. Suggestions for in-service teacher development are offered. 16. A Nation Deceived, Kenneth H. Maurer, The American School Board Journal, May 2003 The author offers a case for making sure that preschool students are given adequate academic support. It is argued that we must do more than we are doing to provide academic assistance to children of poverty. The case for universal preschool is offered. 17. April Foolishness: The 20th Anniversary of A Nation at Risk, Gerald W. Bracey, Phi Delta Kappan, April 2003 The author critiques the purposes and the findings of A Nation at Risk 20 years after its publication. He offers in-depth analysis of the report's findings and its rationale, as well as the deficiencies in the absence of empirical data to support its findings. This report triggered massive criticism of the quality of American schooling. 18. "Of Course It's True; I Saw It On The Internet!" Critical Thinking in the Internet Era, Leah Graham and Panagiotis Takis Metaxas, Communications of the ACM, May 2003 The authors of this article report on a study of how students use the Internet and the problems affecting critical thinking skills if students take information from the Internet without verifying or corroborating information they obtain. Students frequently do not attempt to verify the information that they receive. UNIT 4. Morality and Values in Education 19. Values: The Implicit Curriculum, Linda Inlay, Educational Leadership, March 2003 The author attempts to determine how educators can help students to develop personal and social responsibility. How to help students learn values such as mutual trust is discussed. How to foster character education in schools is a central theme of this essay. 20. Defeating the "Hidden Curriculum": Teaching Political Participation in the Social Studies Classroom, David L. Martinson, The Clearing House, January/February 2003 The author describes how teachers can help students to discover the implicit values in school curricula. Teaching suggestions are offered as to how this can be done in ways that will best help students to learn skills in active and responsible political participation. The focus is from a social studies education perspective. 21. Implementing a Character Education Curriculum and Assessing Its Impact on Student Behavior, Cletus R. Bulach, The Clearing House, November/December 2002 The author reports on a research study to address issues relating to character education efforts in schools. Questions on how to reduce violent student behavior and how to help them learn values such as compassion, courtesy, honesty, and empathy are addressed. Questions as to whose values should be taught and how to measure "character" formed part of the inquiry. 22. The Missing Virtue: Lessons From Dodge Ball & Aristotle, Gordon Marino, Commonweal, April 25, 2003 The author addresses the reality of several shifts in human values in recent years and the question of which values should be taught, if possible, in schools. He reminds us of Aristotle's admonition that we acquire virtue by practicing virtuous actions and developing a moral balance in our lives. He inquires as to how do we teach courageous moral commitment. 23. Flunking Statistics, Martin Plissner, The American Prospect, December 30, 2002 This essay reports on moral stereotypes in terms of perceptions of faculty and students in our colleges and universities. What it offers can also be relevant to secondary education. Issues relating to public morality are addressed. UNIT 5. Managing Life in Classrooms 24. A Profile of Bullying, Dan Olweus, Educational Leadership, March 2003 Myths and realities concerning bullying behavior in schools are addressed here, with behavior patterns of both victims and bullies addressed. The Norwegian national program for training teachers to teach students how to manage bullying behavior in schools is described briefly. 25. Bullying Not Just a Kid Thing, Doug Cooper and Jennie L. Snell, Educational Leadership, March 2003 This article is a report on the misconceptions and realities concerning bullying behavior in schools. The meaning and effects of bullying behavior in schools receive clarification from the authors. Specific school policy alternatives to dealing with this issue are identified. 26. A Positive Learning Environment Approach to Middle School Instruction, Peggy Hester, Robert A. Gable, and M. Lee Manning, Childhood Education, Spring 2003 The authors provide a thorough general roadmap of how to create positive as well as productive approaches to the instruction of middle school-age students. The article is a helpful report on what teachers can do to manage life in classrooms well. The characterizing features of effective classroom management with adolescent students are well described. 27. The Rewards and Restrictions of Recess, Leigh M. O'Brien, Childhood Education, Spring 2003 The author discusses issues related to managing students on playgrounds at recess times. The benefits of recess periods for primary-grade children are noted. The author shares notes on her experiences as a playground volunteer with young children. 28. Home Front, Lawrence Hardy, The American School Board Journal, May 2003 The author provides an interesting discussion as to how teachers can help students to manage and express their concerns when the nation is at war. The article deals with issues related to how to teach about war and how to talk with students about it. The author says most students want to express their concerns. UNIT 6. Cultural Diversity and Schooling 29. Education Is Critical to Closing the Socioeconomic Gap, Ward Connerly et al., The World & I, February 2003 The authors of this set of short articles provide a good summary of the issues centering on the social, educational, and economic impacts of the great gaps in socioeconomic status in the United States. This essay is written from an African American perspective, but the authors' perceptions are equally relevant to Hispanic, Native American, and Asian minority groups in North America. 30. "He May Mean Good, But He Do So Doggone Poor!", Jonda C. McNair, Multicultural Review, March 2003 This author provides some interesting insights into the social conscience literature for young readers. Cultural consciousness is an important educational goal that motivates authors who address their books to children and adolescents. This is an interesting critical analysis of this literature. The author calls for higher levels of critical consciousness. 31. Twelve Ways to Have Students Analyze Culture, Lynda R. Wiest, The Clearing House, January/February 2003 The author shares her views on 12 ways that teachers can analyze the concept of culture. She provides some very good suggestions for classroom teachers. The article is a rather general roadmap, but it will be helpful to preservice or in-service teachers just beginning the process of learning to teach about the idea of culture. 32. Language Differences or Learning Difficulties, Spencer J. Salend and AltaGracia Salinas, Teaching Exceptional Children, March/April 2003 The authors develop very good suggestions for teachers working with second language learners. The idea of developing multidisciplinary teams is very well conceived. Important multicultural perspectives are offered and described. The authors also provide an excellent synthesis of what is recognized regarding the process of second language acquisition. 33. The Evils of Public Schools, Edward G. Rozycki, Educational Horizons, Winter 2002 The author discusses issues of justice as they relate to cultural diversity as well as equality of opportunity in American education. Important equity issues in the education of students are the focus of this essay. 34. Can Every Child Learn?, Gary K. Clabaugh, Educational Horizons, Winter 2002 Gary Clabaugh critiques the slogan that "every child can learn." He clarifies issues related to contemporary rhetoric on the question he addresses. The slogan conceals the failure of many schools. He argues that this slogan is clearly false. UNIT 7. Serving Special Needs and Concerns 35. Challenging the NICHD Reading Research Agenda, Steven L. Strauss, Phi Delta Kappan, February 2003 The author, a medical doctor, provides a thoughtful critique of the report of the National Reading Panel sponsored by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). Methodological issues regarding the panel's research are raised. Serious research evaluation and reporting methods are reviewed. 36. Bridging the Summer Reading Gap, Anne McGill-Franzen and Richard Allington, Scholastic Instructor, May/June 2003 This article synthesizes the alternative summer reading opportunities available to students during their summer vacations in order to retain and continue to build their reading skills. The authors identify what schools can do to encourage students to read through the summer. 37. A Fresh Look at Series Books, Dana Truby, Scholastic Instructor, May/June 2003 The author recommends several specific series of books from children's literature for young readers. Examples of what teachers can do to encourage students to read for pleasure are offered. The author notes which series seem to be popular with students. 38. Andy's Right to Privacy in Grading and the Falvo Versus Owasso Public Schools Case, Stephen J. Friedman, The Clearing House, November/December 2002 The author reports on legal issues as to what rights to privacy students may have. The Falvo versus Owasso Public Schools case is discussed. The question of whether students have to announce their grades in class is the basis for this article about the history of the Falvo case. 39. Tales of Suburban High, Kay S. Hymowitz, Commentary, June 2002 This article provides an interesting critique of the problem of life in American suburban high schools. The author has serious and very pertinent concerns about suburban high school life. Her critique of teaching behavior is particularly of note. UNIT 8. The Profession of Teaching Today 40. What New Teachers Need to Learn, Sharon Feiman-Nemser, Educational Leadership, May 2003 The author argues that teacher educators must address the learning needs of new teachers. How best to mentor new teachers to provide them with what they need to know as they begin their careers is an important question. How do we enculturate new teachers into the teaching profession? 41. The Teacher Shortage: Myth or Reality?, Richard M. Ingersoll, Educational Horizons, Spring 2003 The author reports on the results of a research study he conducted regarding school staffing problems that have been reported in recent years. He summarizes what the data indicate regarding whether there really is a "teacher shortage." This report is a careful review of the reasons why teachers leave the profession. 42. Developing Novice Teachers as Change Agents: Student Teacher Placements "Against the Grain", Sheila Lane, Nancy Lacefield-Parachini, and JoAnn Isken, Teacher Education Quarterly, Spring 2003 The authors present an essay that addresses issues relating to how best to form developing novice teachers in the teacher preparation programs so as to help them be more critically conscious of their goals and social mission as educators. A critically liberative and transformative perspective is represented. 43. Preparing Teachers for Public Schools: Just More Cannon Fodder?, Edward G. Rozycki, Educational Horizons, Spring 2003 The author develops a report that deals with several major issues in teacher preparation programming. He opens this essay with a poignant anecdotal letter from a concerned teacher. Several very serious issues are raised regarding the ideological bases of teacher education. Issues regarding the accreditation of teacher education programs are reviewed. UNIT 9. A Look to the Future 44. Dreams of a Livable Future, Paul Hawken, Utne Reader, May/June 2003 The author speaks of a new and more democratic vision of our possibilities as human beings. He has a vision of a future more livable and happier than our present. It is a global vision of democratic social and economic possibilities for all people. He offers possible strategies as to how this might be achieved. 45. An Emerging Culture, Christopher Bamford and Eric Utne, Utne Reader, May/June 2003 The authors provide a worldwide vision of how the innovative alternative Waldorf School System has come about, which is part of the vision for a better human condition created by the social vision of Rudolf Steiner. Steiner's vision of a better human future has been played out in many different fields of human endeavor, education being one of them. 46. The Future of Education: Student Options, Irving H. Buchen, Current, March/April 2003 The author has prepared a vision of hope for American education. He projects 25 years into a possible future for American education. The future he projects may not, and probably will not, develop as he sees it. Yet it gives us something to think about even if people disagree on some major developments.