Surveys National Council of Teachers of English Centers of Excellence to learn how good English curricula develop. Discusses the Center of Excellence's origins and development, curriculum approval process, implementation, evaluation and assessment, funding, and obstacles. Concludes that the Centers of Excellence offer a highly professional,…

Considers the benefits for kindergarten through college teachers of a two-week interdisciplinary institute called the "Truckee River Community Project." Outlines the objectives and methods of this project, which focused on an intensive study of the Truckee River of the High Sierras in Nevada. Argues for the value of the personal…

Argues that the English language arts can play a major role in arriving at practical coherence in school curricula because of the unique nature of the discipline and the unique integrative role of language in human experience. Discusses literature in interdisciplinary English and the contributions of English to interdisciplinary curriculum. (SR)

The president of the National Council of Teachers of English recommends steps for a fundamental change in literacy education including teacher training programs, smaller classes, cross curriculum programs, long-range planning for improving English instruction, and de-emphasis of standardized test scores in favor of other measures of literacy. (MJL)

Argues that English teachers must rediscover and subsequently utilize an interdisciplinary approach to reform the schools. Explores two implications for interdisciplinary study growing from a holistic, process-centered approach to English studies. Suggests that English should become the leader in an interdisciplinary future. (HB)

Offers opposing views on the value of mass testing in English. (JL)

Considers the revolutionary effects of including more interdisciplinary content in English and the idea of teaching English indirectly through a focus on meaning that would result in an "agenda of learning" across the disciplines. (JK)