Let students travel to countries around the world and experience life in different cultures and times by using foreign films with English subtitles in the classroom. Author Kerry Holmes, contends that students want to read as they become involved in the plot of a movie, their interests are piqued by novelty, and their attention is attracted to…

The goal of this booklet is to provide stakeholders in South Africa's early childhood development (ECD) system with information about the government's Reception Year Pilot Project and to help them understand ECD as part of a wider education and training policy. The booklet is divided into two sections. Section 1 describes the Reception Year Pilot…

Research indicates that teachers are the main influence on student achievement. However, standards and accountability related to teacher preparation, certification, and competencies are inconsistent. The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education has developed a more rigorous system of standards and procedures for teacher preparation.…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) Paying Double: United States Spends Over $1.4 Billion Annually on Remedial Education for Recent High School…

The goals and measures identified in this report provide insight to policymakers, higher education analysts, and parents and students throughout the nation. They are tools to understand the trend of nationwide standards so that California can make informed decisions about holding its postsecondary institutions accountable for the quality of…

The purpose of this booklet is to introduce parents of students with disabilities to the "big ideas" contained in school improvement efforts under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and to provide them with the information they need to help ensure that their children…

This second booklet aimed at stakeholders in South Africa's early childhood development (ECD) system focuses on two areas related to how learning in the country is going to be designed, assessed, and recognized by the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Part 1 examines the new approach being established as the foundation of the country's…

This digest presents an overview of ways that parents can encourage their child's learning in science. National and state standards for science knowledge and skills are discussed. The importance of parental guidance and encouragement in all subjects--science in particular--is also discussed. Suggestions are made for setting a good example, helping…

Why should your school have a Family Math Night?: (1) Help students learn essential math concepts; (2) Give parents a chance to serve as models of motivation, persistence and competence; and (3) Promote math success in a supportive setting. With its step-by-step directions and suggestions for both teachers and parents, this book takes the worry…

This article describes a workshop for parents and middle school students that clarifies an appropriate role for using hand-held technology in learning mathematics. (Contains 3 figures.)

Presents a historical look at the debate over President Clinton's proposal to develop voluntary national tests for the nation's public school students, describing education standards over the past 15 years and examining the current controversy over national testing. The paper recommends that parents familiarize themselves with national testing…

This document is intended to help students in Alberta identify skills and prepare portfolios highlighting their strengths and abilities and to help education and business leaders work together to develop a student portfolio sample promoting skills for success in education, training and work. The document is divided into two parts. Part I is a…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) President Bush Promotes High School Agenda: Of $1.5 Billion Plan for High Schools, $200 Million Would Go to Striving…

Addressed primarily to elementary school teachers working with children in grades one through three and grounded in developmentally appropriate practice, this book provides a practical framework for making teaching effective and learning meaningful for children in these early grades. Chapters in Part 1 of the book each present one of six teaching…