Though this is called the second edition of the 1971 Macmillan set, all of the articles are new. They cover policy and curriculum issues (Accreditation in the United States, Class size and student learning, Scheduling, Single-sex institutions); learning (Categorization and concept learning, Learning theory); assessment (General educational development test, Statewide testing); standards (School reform, Standards movement in American education); history and culture (G.I. Bill of Rights; Islam; Special education: History of); legislation (No Child Left Behind Act of 2001) ; and profiles of organizations, schools, and people (Gary schools; Harvard University; Military academies; Montessori, Maria). The writing is well edited and accessible, with more than 850 signed articles from nearly the same number of experts.
Articles range from 1 to 20 pages or more. Topics that are quite broad (e.g., Risk behaviors) are divided into multiple sections (e.g., Drug use among teens, Suicide, Teen pregnancy, etc.). Such sections contain individual bibliographies. Bibliographies cite both primary and secondary literature as well as Internet resources, such as government or association sites, when appropriate.
The primary focus appears to be on U.S. practices and institutions, from preschool to higher education. However, international coverage can be found throughout the set in articles on countries or regions (Canada, South Asia), as well as within topics (e.g., "Comparing Science Education Requirements around the World" in the essay on Science Education, or Rural Education: International Context). Readers will have to look elsewhere for an overview of some subjects, such as adult education and academic libraries, for which there are no entries.
Volume 8 contains some useful appendixes as well as a detailed subject index. Appendix 1 lists assessment and achievement tests, with a summary of audience and purpose, and contact information. Next is a listing of state departments of education, followed by the large appendix 3, titled "Court Cases, Legislation, and International Agreements." These original source documents--46 in all--were deemed "essential." They include Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972), Morrill Land-Grant Act of 1862, and Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). Appendixes 4, 5, and 6 list Internet resources (international and domestic), a very brief general bibliography, and an outline of contents in conceptual format, respectively.
With its wider range and in-depth treatment of topics, this new edition of the Encyclopedia of Education will complement more specialized education references and those with shorter entries, such as Encyclopedia of American Education (2d ed., Facts On File, 2001). It will be a standard in academic libraries supporting education programs
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