How frequently should pupils be tested in a given school year using standardized tests? Perhaps, once in a given school year which makes it possible for parents and teachers to notice how a child compares with cohorts in the nation in a specific school year. The results need careful reviewing in order to assist in making curricular decisions. Each…

The use of learning stations is an approach to meet needs of pupils in achievement. Here, pupils may make choices in terms of what to learn. From a learning station, a pupil may select learning activities to complete, be they individual or committee endeavors. Activities might also be chosen on the basis of learning styles. A pupil may prefer to…

The use of learning stations is an approach to meet needs of pupils in achievement. Here, pupils may make choices in terms of what to learn. From a learning station, a pupil may select learning activities to complete, be they individual or committee endeavors. Activities might also be chosen on the basis of learning styles. A pupil may prefer to…

Data driven decision making emphasizes the importance of the teacher using objective sources of information in developing the social studies curriculum. Too frequently, decisions of teachers have been made based on routine and outdated methods of teaching. Valid and reliable tests used to secure results from pupil learning make for better…

Instructors in technical education need to use diverse methods of teaching to provide for individual differences among learners. Use of microcomputers is particularly appropriate, because such use can impart knowledge as well as develop skills. Three philosophies of computer/software instruction in technical education can be identified: (1)…

Distance education has numerous inherent philosophies to utilize in teaching-learning situation. The problem solving aspect of distance learning encourages active involvement by students in teaching-learning situations; student selection of content; teachers as guides and motivators of student learning; ordering of learning experiences in terms of…

Teachers, principals, and superintendents need to determine: who should be involved in choosing what learners are to learn; who should select learning activities for pupils as well as the sequence of these experiences; and who should be involved in appraising learner achievement in different curriculum areas. (JC)

Being able to make decisions is important for all students. Students need to have opportunities to choose from among alternative situations. Reading, as one curriculum area, provides a plethora of opportunities to choose and to select. The philosopher John Locke believed the following facets of an individual's development were in the ensuing order…

Decision-making in reading instruction can be made by the classroom teacher or through scripted materials, such as teacher manuals. Teachers have undergone schooling and certification, and thus are qualified to make decisions concerning objectives of the curriculum, learning opportunities for students, and assessment methods. Programmed reading…

The school counselor as a team member has a leading role to play in inservice education of the teaching faculty. The counselor has considerable contact with students and has valuable information on developing a quality inservice education program. Inservice education has the goal of improving the curriculum for students. This paper presents a…

In this article the author discusses the community school concept and relates it to his own experiences as a student and educator in Missouri. It asserts that in developing a community school, participants in the school district must be willing to give of their talents and time to improve the social environment for all its inhabitants. Cooperation…

Three methods of appraising student achievement are discussed: (1) the measurement movement (MM); (2) problem solving (PS) in the curriculum; and (3) decision making (DM) in the curriculum. MMs in education emphasize: verification of student achievement results; objective procedures; alignment of learning opportunities with test items; teaching…

Friedrich Froebel, an early advocate of the use of play in kindergarten teaching, argued that the ultimate goal of education was developing the creative person. According to Froebel, teachers could promote creativity through play by using gifts, occupations, and mother play songs. By contrast, Johann Herbart called for a subject centered…

Diverse philosophies are in evidence in teaching writing. Approaches used in teaching writing should assist students to achieve optimally as well as provide for individual differences, help them attain meaning and understanding of subject matter written, develop students' interest in communicating written content, establish purpose and reasons for…

Pupils in the school-class setting need to become proficient in the area of problem solving. Individuals presently and in the future must be able to identify relevant problems and work in the direction of seeking related solutions. (Author)