The following articles* from the American Educator, Fall 1997, are available only as
Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files:
Passing on Failure
By Sandra Feldman
Social promotion--moving students along to higher grades before they are
ready--spells disaster for everyone involved. But traditional retention is
not the answer, either. We need a comprehensive approach that will head off
failure well before it occurs.
Student Incentives and the College Board System
By Arthur G. Powell
With all the controversy around national standards and assessments, most
people will be surprised to learn that a limited, but comparable, system was
in place early in this century. Used primarily by elite private schools, the
voluntary system was remarkable effective in getting even average students
to work hard and aim high.
Move Over, Barney
By Dennis Denenberg
Ask kids who their heroes are and they're likely to name a hit parade of
popular fantasy figures, movie and TV personalities, or rock stars. It's
time we filled their hearts and minds with some real heroes.
Art On The Prairie*
By Edward B. Fiske
Art education shouldn't focus exclusively on "art making," says a group
dedicated to expanding the discipline to include a healthy dose of art history, criticism,
and aesthetics.
What Children's Poetry Is For*
By J. Bottum
What poems to choose for children? And why? And what might we reasonable hope
that children may gain?
Setting Limits in the Classroom
By Robert J. MacKenzie
Draw a line--with both firmness and respect--and show your students that
there are clear, consistent consequences for crossing it. Then say good-bye
to explaining and cajoling, lecturing and threatening.
Articles not posted online are available. To request a copy, please send an
e-mail to
amered@aft.org
