New Models for General Education. Current Issues in Higher Education, No. 4, 1980.

Overview & Synopsis

Perspectives on providing general education for college students are presented in three papers. In "General Education in a Contemporary Context" by Jerry G. Gaff, the need for curricular reforms and two common approaches to the process are considered, and changing circumstances that indicate the need for new approaches to general education are noted. In "Bridging the Gap Between High School and College," Ernest L. Boyer suggests that achieving quality in higher education depends upon the foundation provided by schooling prior to college attendance, and therefore proposes that coordination is needed between high school and college in terms of the curriculum and teacher education standards. In "Curriculum Changes for the 80's: Beyond Retrenchment," John C. Sawhill examines various subject areas and suggests skills that need to be emphasized and alternative approaches to covering content within the curricula. The need for students to understand the interrelatedness among the social science disciplines, the importance of competence in English composition, the value of introducing students to cultures based on different value systems, a new place for foreign language study, and the need to familiarize students with scientific discoveries are noted with respect to current practices that are viewed as unsatisfactory. (SW)