Practical and engaging, this book contains 21 case studies that help students apply curriculum theory to classroom reality. Each case is authored by an in-service teacher, reflecting on ways to improve instruction by making changes to various aspects of the curriculum. These real-life examples investigate up-to-date curricular issues ranging from accountability in education to curriculum design, implementation, and evaluation, school reform, pedagogy, and decision making in diverse educational settings. Key features of this book are: (1) Consistent formatting--Each case follows the same structure and includes proposed/actual solutions and expected/observed outcomes, allowing readers to compare their solutions to those in the text- leading to reflective, data-driven decision making; (2) Points to Ponder--Open-ended questions invite readers to further elaborate on how the solution proposed by the practitioner may impact additional curricular levels; and (3) Text Boxes--Brief background information related to each cases provides a context for analysis. Contents of this book include: (1) Bringing Diversity Into a Less Diverse Environment; (2) Bringing Calculus to Life: Hands-on Learning in a New Sequence of Courses; (3) Meeting the Individual Needs of Each Student at an Alternative High School; (4) Using Assessment and Student Interest Data to Inform Differentiated Instruction in an Inclusive Classroom; (5) Motivating Students to Learn in a Peer-Supported School Environment; (6) Authentic Audience and Affective Learning in a Gifted and Talented Middle School Program; (7) "Discovery Math": From Professional Development to Classroom Practice; (8) Student Understandings as a Basis for Motivation and Participation in a Severe Emotional Disturbance/Severe Behavioral Handicap High School Classroom; (9) Meeting Student Learning Requirements by Means of an Improved Writing-Across-Curriculum Program; (10) Student Portfolios and Authentic Assessment in a Diverse Multiage Preschool Classroom; (11) Skill Building in Elementary Math: Between Remediation and Academic Promotion; (12) Prevention Programs as Means to Teach Social Skills in Elementary School; (13) Educating the Community About a Needed Levy Increase: The Teacher as a Political Activist; (14) The Mandated Curriculum Meeting the Needs of Teachers and Their Favored Practices; (15) Balancing Data-driven Decision Making and Shifting Paradigms in a New Elementary Math Curriculum; (16) Professional Development That Works, Please!; (17) Using Curriculum Relevance to Motivate Students; (18) The Integration of Autistic Classes Into the Physical Education Curriculum; (19) Developing a Literacy Program for Children With Learning Disabilities; (20) My Students Can't Write, and I'm Forced to Use a Curriculum That Doesn't Help Them Learn How; and (21) Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners and the Mandates of Accountability Without Compromising. This book also contains: (1) Preface; (2) Acknowledgments; (3) Case Study Matrix; (4) Glossary; (5) Index; and (6) About the Author.