From the 1920s to the present, an authoritative exploration of curriculum history in America, and the theory and foundations currently influencing school practices for Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grades. Educational reform. Charter schools. The standards movement. High stakes testing. Bilingual education. The controversies surrounding what we teach our children and how we do it have existed since John Dewey espoused his ideas concerning educational reform in the early 1900s. How do we decide whatand howto teach our children? Curriculum Studies: A Reference Handbook presents the most expansive, up-to-date survey of curriculum development in the U.S., ranging from its history and the origins of the cry for higher standards, to societal influences on schools and the legal challenges they face today. Supported by examples illustrating both successful and failed school reforms, critical developments of the past 25 years and their impacts, including the rise of charter schools, home schooling, the standards movement, high stakes testing, and authentic assessment, are carefully analyzed. The first work to examine ethical concerns with multicultural, multilingual students also addresses professionalism in teaching and teacher education.