Prompted by the increased possibility of teachers facing educational malpractice charges, this paper outlines the historical legal precedents through which plaintiffs have sought recognition for this new cause of action, the defenses established against it, and the rationale on which various courts have balanced their decisions. The paper also…

Although the topic of effective schools is a popular one among today's educators, researchers, and publishers, there still is no commonly agreed upon definition of an effective school. One definition given by Ronald Edmonds and Lawrence Lezotte is notably precise, measurable, attainable, and easy to determine. They defined an effective school as…

This document consists of more than 30 previously published journal articles and reports that focus on aspects of teacher certification. Section one of this volume presents articles on the specific issues and problems underlying the current condition of teacher quality that affect decision making policy. The imminent shortage of qualified teachers…

Requirements for student entrance into teacher education programs in 11 southern states were surveyed on two levels: state requirements and teacher education institution requirements. The states studied were Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. It was found…

Critically evaluates recent statements and actions by federal and state officials who do not realize the efforts that will be necessary to raise school standards. Reviews kinds of standards proposed by current reform, considers their effects, and discusses the conditions under which at risk students could respond positively to higher standards.…

A comparison of the public debates over higher education quality finds that, despite much common ground, the American concern focuses more on equity, access, curriculum content, and academic standards, whereas the British concern is for value for the money spent. It concludes that each debate can benefit from the other. (MSE)

Common ideas for the improvement of teacher education include strengthening subject matter preparation, providing more and better opportunities for trying out teaching skills, integrating theory and research results in the curriculum, and cooperating with schools in preparing teachers. (MSE)

The main reasons that students drop out of high school are poor grades, family problems, and financial problems. The school reform movement may compound marginal students' difficulties and cause more students to drop out. (MD)

The School Improvement Specialist Project prepared seven modules. School improvement specialists, as defined by the Appalachia Educational Laboratory at Edvantia, are change agents who work with schools to help them improve in the following areas so as to increase student achievement. These modules are intended to provide training materials for…

As adults, today's students will have to deal with emerging problems societal changes are creating. Improving public education for all will require educational reform that better accommodates under-served American youth. This chapter discusses the educational standards movement, which assumes that virtually all learners can achieve educational…

While elementary and secondary educators are pursuing a results orientation as a means of educational reform and pedagogical improvement, the early childhood field has not explored sufficiently the desirability and feasibility of, nor the process for, establishing child-based standards and results for younger children. This report presents a…

This brief paper examines issues in service delivery and collaborative partnerships in light of requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, both of which emphasize the importance of providing access to the general curriculum for students with disabilities and…

Teaching all students to high standards may not be achievable with the way the vast bulk of schools in the United States are organized and managed. Under current school structures and management practices, marginal improvements are possible; significantly raising student achievement is not. Accomplishing this requires dramatic improvements that…

The author reviews the changes in China's educational policy since the downfall of the "Gang of Four," emphasizing the nation's return to stricter academic standards and credentialing. (SJL)

This article compares and contrasts various types of external degree and nontraditional graduate programs including their organization, objectives, and problems. (JMF)