Conservatism in America--What Does it Mean for Teacher Education?

The current conflict among opposing sets of cultural ideals is illustrated by several interrelated conditions. The conservative phenomenon is more complex than the traditional liberal-conservative dichotomy would suggest. Changes in societal conditions invite a reexamination of basic assumptions across the broad spectrum of political ideology. Modern technology and a politically active fundamentalist movement enhance and distort the image of the breakdown of our consensus of values, while, in reality, contradictory sets of ideals have always existed. Specific conservative groups must be distinguished not by their stand on one issue, but by how their values cluster along a continuum. Many school-related issues cut across traditional political boundaries, such as taxation, basic skills achievement, discipline, equal educational opportunity, and curriculum design. Those in the field of teacher education must acknowledge the reality of the problems faced by the schools and the need for greater emphasis in the history and philosophy of education, and should expect increased criticism in the future. (FG)