FOCUS

A SNAPSHOT OF EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES TODAY
By Richard W. Riley

The U.S. Secretary of Education presents an overview of recent accomplishments and future challenges in primary and secondary education.

AT THE CORE OF U.S. EDUCATION, A PASSION FOR LEARNING
By Margaret Stimmann Branson

The continuing concern about education in the United States is rooted in the fundamental passions of Americans for learning. In this article, the author, a widely published expert on educational matters, places the issues of the day within the historical and social context.

THE FEDERAL ROLE IN U.S. EDUCATION

Over the years, a limited but critical U.S. government role has evolved within the nation's decentralized educational system. This article explains the shared relationship.

    ISSUES

THE STANDARDS REVOLUTION IN U.S. SCHOOLS
By Tiffany Danitz

Standards-based reform -- holding schools and their workforce accountable for student learning -- has become one of the principal mantras for politicians at all levels of government, and for parents as well. The author, a specialist in education for an online news service specializing in political issues in the United States, reviews the points of view on all sides of the matter.

DIVERSITY IN U.S. EDUCATION
By Anne C. Lewis

Today, the U.S. classroom is more diverse than at any time in the nation's history. This article, by an education policy writer and national columnist for Phi Delta Kappan, explores how truly inclusive U.S. schools are -- dealing with ethnic, religious and gender diversity, as well as serving the needs of children with various levals of achievement and those who are physically or psychologically challenged.

U.S. EDUCATION: THE ISSUE OF "CHOICE"
By Rick Green

Despite the strength of the public schools in the United States overall, an emerging concept has surfaced that is based on a simple idea: let parents decide. This article, by the prizewinning education reporter of the Hartford (Connecticut) Courant, discusses various facets of "choice," which -- for state legislatures and local school boards -- has become one of the leading education issues of the day.

THE AMERICAN CLASSROOM

Articles by Esther F. Schaeffer, Richard Dieffenbach and Deborah Hecht, respectively, explore service learning, character education and safety -- three prime subjects involving the U.S. student today.

REDISCOVERING TEACHER EDUCATION:
SCHOOL RENEWAL AND EDUCATING EDUCATORS
By John I. Goodlad

Teacher education is being rediscovered and analyzed anew today in policy circles in the United States, and it is invariably linked to discussions of school reform. In this essay, the author, a leading scholar in the field of teacher education, suggests guidelines by which such renewal should evolve.

RECRUITING NEW TEACHERS: "THINK CREATIVELY"
A Conversation with Dr. Mildred Hudson
By Michael J. Bandler

At a time of attrition in the U.S. teacher corps, imaginative thinking is the obvious response, according to a leading theoretician and activist in the field of teacher recruitment and preparation. In this interview, she describes some of the approaches being taken to encourage qualified men and women to enter the profession, and ways being developed to ensure their retention.

U.S. STUDENTS AND THE TECHNOLOGICAL EVOLUTION
By John O'Neil

Computers in U.S. schools are far more numerous and powerful today than they were less than a decade ago. In this article, the author, a writer specializing in aspects of education, describes how this expansion of technological possibilities is having an impact on students.

    PERSPECTIVES

ON THE FRONT LINES OF EDUCATION
A conversation with Dr. Roy Settles
By Michael J. Bandler

In this interview, the principal of a suburban Washington, D.C., elementary school reflects upon a number of matters common within U.S. education today, including diverse student bodies and staff, the breadth of bilingual education, the increasing role of parents and safety in the schools.

HOW SAFE ARE OUR SCHOOLS?
By Kate Stetzner

This personal statement by the principal of a Montana elementary school that experienced a violent incident in 1994 describes the aftermath -- the healing process in the community and the national response.

INNOVATION & EVOLUTION AT WORK
By Suzanne Dawkins

Efforts on the regional and local levels have resulted in imaginative new options for students in terms of programs, schools and policies. This article offers brief examples of this ferment of activity under way across the United States.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND INTERNET SOURCES

U.S. Society & Values

Electronic Journal of the Department of State

Volume 5, Number 2, June 2000

The Office of International Information Programs of the U.S. Department of State provides products and services that explain U.S. policies to foreign audiences. The Office publishes five electronic journals that examine major issues facing the United States and the international community. The journals -- Economic Perspectives, Global Issues, Issues of Democracy, U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda and U.S. Society & Values -- provide analysis, commentary and background information in their thematic areas. All journal editions appear in English, French and Portuguese language versions, and selected issues also appear in Arabic, Russian and Spanish.

A new English-language issue is published every three to six weeks. Translated versions normally follow the English original by two to four weeks. The order in which the thematic editions appear is irregular, as some editions publish more issues than others.

The opinions expressed in the journals do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. government. The U.S. Department of State assumes no responsibility for the content and continued accessibility of Internet sites linked to herein; such responsibility resides solely with the publishers of those sites. Articles may be reproduced and translated outside the United States unless the articles carry copyright restrictions.

Current or back issues of the journals can be found on the Office of International Information Programs' International Home Page on the World Wide Web at

http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/journals.htm.

They are available in several electronic formats to facilitate viewing on-line, transferring, downloading, and printing.

Comments are welcome at your local U.S. Embassy (attention Public Diplomacy Section) or at the editorial offices:

Editor, U..S. Society & Values
Society and Values Team -- IIP/T/SV
U.S. Department of State
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Washington, D.C. 20547
United States of America

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Publisher Editor Managing Editors: Associate Editors, Reference/Research Contributing Editors Art Director/Graphic Designer Graphics Assistant Internet Editor Editorial Board

Judith S. Siegel Craig B. Springer Michael J. Bandler Suzanne Dawkins Mary Ann V. Gamble Kathy Spiegel Rosalie Targonski Charles Goss Thaddeus A. Miksinski, Jr. Sylvia Scott Wayne Hall Howard Cincotta Judith S. Siegel Leonardo Williams