Identifies and discusses four major concerns with the 1996 National Education Summit's call for standards. Argues schools need more than just standards testing, criticized as an easy solution to a complex problem. By creating tougher standards and through the overuse of standarized tests, schools are transforming into sorting mechanisms,…

Argues that the development of reasoning ability--a major goal of education--should start in the intermediate grades with curriculum materials that include simple proofs. How the proofs concept for developing reasoning skills works in mathematics instruction is explored. (GR)

Identifies and refutes seven myths regarding developmental education. Indicates that developmental education programs have a long history in America, raise academic standards, contribute to retention, are cost-effective, serve a diverse population, should not be limited to community colleges, and do not repeat high school course offerings.…

Public relations instructors can begin to develop an appreciation of the social, political and economic (S-P-E) contexts on the part of their students by beginning to integrate this thinking into existing courses and curricula. Social contexts deal with cultural and subcultural beliefs, contacts within a community or organization, and frames of…

Describes the introduction of microcomputers into a junior high school and the responses of students and teachers. (FL)

The importance of international studies is examined with focus on international activities and their objectives, patterns of responding to difficult questions, and the importance of review. Goals identified include: to provide students with a less parochial perspective and to focus on the global aspects of a subject. (LC)

Discusses what constitutes higher education standards and suggests that the standards debate should focus on defining educational goals and examining the consequences of implementing them. Some standards characteristics are examined, including specific, publicized, rigorous, high-stakes, inclusive, and measurable standards. Standards in relation…

Argues that politics and ideology have clouded the debate over education policy and hindered efforts to create the quality schools need most. Questions whether scientific research can help in creating students with "higher-order thinking." Discusses the consensus of research on pedagogy, classroom environment, pace, clarity, managing and…

Examines the research on one of the newest labels in the field of reading disabilities: attention deficit syndrome. Argues that such labels do little to help teachers plan instruction and can be harmful. Discusses the current diagnosis for this syndrome and the behaviors generally associated with it. (HB)

Suggests ways of evaluating the value of a college's investments in educational technology. Three main targets for evaluation are highlighted: (1) improvements in the capabilities of graduates and seniors in selected degree programs; (2) positive changes in the processes of teaching and learning; and (3) net financial consequences of these…

Determining whether stimulant medication improves learning or long-term academic achievement in children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder involves consideration of (1) the prescription of higher than optimal doses, and (2) overinclusive treatment involving adverse responders. A study designed to overcome these theoretical deficiencies…

Critiques school reform evaluation and common misconceptions about it. The article warns against using evaluation to sort students in ways that hinder them from gaining quality education or force teachers into implementing school changes that are unresponsive to students' learning problems. Study findings involving school improvement efforts are…

In this article, the author talks about the Critical Friends Group, which she and her colleagues at Souhegan High School created. They hold monthly meetings in order to help everyone with their work. Here, she discusses her experiences of CFG, as well as that of her colleagues' experiences and what they had to say about the CFG. Among other…

In the social learning perspective the anticipation of rewarding consequences serves as one source of motivation. A second results from the perception of a negative discrepancy between present capabilities and desired performance. To foster motlvation it is necessary that persons accurately appraise their capabilities. Techniques for fostering…

This booklet is one of a series of teacher-written curriculum publications launched by the Bay Area Writing Project, each focusing on a different aspect of the teaching of composition. The introduction describes an analysis of predication that offers teachers insights into ways of helping students develop an expository thesis and study more…