A modern understanding of the cell and its functions has been translated into learning goals for K-12 students by Project 2061's "Benchmarks for Science Literacy" and by the National Research Council's "National Science Education Standards" ("NSES"). Nearly every state has used these national documents to develop…

The purpose of this article is to suggest ways of using research on children's reasoning and learning to elaborate on existing national standards and to improve large-scale and classroom assessments. The authors suggest that "learning progressions"--descriptions of successively more sophisticated ways of reasoning within a content domain based on…

Reflecting a variety of intellectual and disciplinary orientations, this volume examines major changes in educational development and reform and considers how such changes have been implemented in the past. The material addresses questions of governance, equity and multiculturalism, curriculum standards, school choice. The book has four parts.…

This paper examines the content of the proposed national standards for U.S. history and world history. The document suggests shortcomings of the developed standards as being without an emphasis on the themes of democracy and western civilization and an overemphasis on multicultural ideas. Specific standards in each of the areas are addressed with…

This chapter presents eight competencies approved by the American School Counselor Association and the Association for Assessment in Counseling that provide the knowledge and skills school counselors need in the areas of assessment and evaluation. Because effectiveness in assessment and evaluation is critical to effective counseling, these…

The author endorses the approach to teaching phonics set out in recent documents (e.g. Progression in Phonics) that extend and supersede the approach set out earlier in the National Literacy Strategy (NLS) Framework for Teaching. Proposed are minor, evidence-driven amendments to this approach. The assumption that failure to achieve continuing…

The paper discusses the development of counseling and psychotherapy in China. These have developed rapidly for more than ten years, with special technique integration, varied methods, and the spread of concepts. But measured by scientific criterion, it still is in the primary stage of development. Although the number of diversified forms of…

In an interview, Willard Wirtz discusses his recent report, "Measuring the Quality of Education." Wirtz believes that the National Assessment of Educational Progress should be widely publicized and used and directed toward framing nationwide standards of educational quality. (Author/WD)

Focuses on the Manhattanville College (Purchase, New York) Music Curriculum Project (MMCP) that examined how to improve music education in schools. Discusses topics, such as aesthetic expression, learning and development, the characteristics of music teachers in the MMCP, and the MMCP and national standards. (CMK)

Presents guidelines regarding certification standards for early childhood education teachers. The paper describes six areas in which certified teachers must demonstrate knowledge, ability, values, and attitudes, according to the Association of Teacher Educators and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. (SM)

This interview with Linda Darling-Hammond examines recommendations in the new national report, "What Matters Most: Teaching and America's Future," which focuses attention on improving teaching as a way to improve student achievement. The interview examines such issues as characteristics of good faculty development; the effect of national teaching…

Reminds readers of the 1989 Carnegie report on the education of young adolescents ("Turning Points: Preparing American Youth for the 21st Century"), its warnings, and its recommendations. Introduces this special issue on middle-school social studies, discussing from many different viewpoints just how teachers and students might proceed…

Claims the Australian Literacy Benchmarks for Year 3 and Year 5 set unrealistic standards, are educationally unworkable, and represent an unacceptably imprecise and confusing set of statements and criteria. Compares the Literacy Benchmarks with the New South Wales English Language and Literacy Assessment (ELLA). Claims the Benchmarks represent a…

Presents an open letter to President Clinton regarding his statements about reading standards and testing made in his 1997 State of the Union Address. Points out serious problems in having a national reading standard and trying to get every fourth grader to meet that standard. Discusses problems with curing the so-called reading problem by use of…

Presents a conversation with eminent educator Dorothy Strickland, designated 1998 Outstanding Educator in the Language Arts. Discusses her books, being a "career mom," her role in writing the report "Becoming a Nation of Readers," the cycles that reading education seems to go through, professional development, "Reading…