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Controversial Ways of Addressing Contemporary Problems in Schools

Chancellor of the New York City school system, Joseph Fernandez. He's been a controversial figure: he's made condoms available in the public schools, and approved a multicultural curriculum, called "Children of the Rainbow," that teaches respect for gays and lesbians. Fernandez is Puerto Rican and grew up in Spanish Harlem. He was a gang member and a heroin addict. Late,r he joined the Air Force, where he kicked the habit, and attended college on the G.I. bill. He's got a new book, "Tales Out of School: Joseph Fernandez's Crusade to Rescue American Education."

21:45
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Other segments from the episode on January 25, 1993

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, January 25, 1993: Interview with Joseph Fernandez; Interview with Ben Stiller; Review of Neal Stephenson's novel "Snow Crash."
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16:19

Actor Ben Stiller on His New Comedy Show

Stiller is the son of the comedy team of Jerry Stiller & Anne Meara. He's acted in the Lincoln Center's revival of "House of Blue Leaves," and appeared in the films, "Fresh Horses," "Stella," and "Empire of the Son." He's got a new comedy show "The Ben Stiller Show," which grew out of his work as a writer-performer with "Saturday Night Live."

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Teaching Social Studies in the 1990s.

J. P. Bianchi is a Social Studies supervisor for Community School District 8 in the Bronx. He stopped teaching in 1986, and is now responsible for the shape of the Social Studies curriculum for the entire district. A recent New York Board of Regents report examined the state of Social Studies, and Bianchi comments.

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The Pros and Cons of Multicultural History

Diane Ravitch has written many books about American education, and she teaches history at Columbia University. Her new book, "The American Reader," is an anthology of classic speeches, poems, and songs that she feels should be taught in the schools. Ravitich believes American history should be inclusive the many cultures in the Unite States, but opposes ethno-centric curricula.

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