The authors recently studied how well schools were teaching a a range of complex, higher-order skills. Their findings were grim. Out of 25 skills that researchers have found to be critical to success in life and work, just three were the focus of most instruction: recall, application, and (occasionally) analysis. Even when teachers explicitly made…

This article offers a commentary on the Common Core State Standards, which were developed by a talented and well-resourced team, and are purported to be of higher quality than many former or existing state standards. However, according to this author, Common Core has become much more than the standards themselves; they are the foundational element…

A limited test of the Annehurst Curriculum Classification System's techniques for matching instructional materials to learner characteristics failed to reveal significant differences between the achievement of students matched to materials and those unmatched. (PGD)

Claims that "Choices," a teaching unit on nuclear confrontation produced by the Union of Concerned Scientists and the National Education Association, misrepresents the world nuclear situation and should not be used by teachers intent on conveying unbiased information. Suggests "The Apocalyptic Premise: Nuclear Arms Debated" as…

Explains provisions of the Copyright Act of 1976, highlighting the fair use doctrine, which allows limited reproduction and use without copyright owners' permission under certain conditions. Fair use may be successfully invoked for reproducing protected materials for classroom use if each copy bears the copyright notice and the reproduction…

Using primary sources in history classes is all the rage. But if teachers are not reflective about the best use of such materials, they may engage students in exercises that are neither historically nor instructionally sound. In this article, the author points out common misconceptions about primary sources and suggests ways to maximize their…

Faced with increased responsibilities, little social status, modest salaries, and leaner materials budgets, teachers contribute significant amounts of their own money (perhaps $1 billion yearly) for instructional purposes. A southern Minnesota study found that a typical teacher spent about $492 yearly to enrich students' learning experience. Such…

Districts cannot afford to buy all the "stuff" (teaching pictures, puzzles, dittoes, worksheets, cutouts, games, storybooks, and science props) needed by inventive teachers. Districts should allow kids to discover their own stuff and study in the community, group students across grade levels, reuse and share materials, cannibalize old kits, and…

The Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) Program offers students in 5,000 schools a complete curriculum for all grade levels that stresses Christian values and American patriotism through structured individual packets, which allow each student to work at his or her own pace. Evaluates social studies units for grades 7 to 11. References included.…

Many private schools accepting public and private voucher funding use instructional materials that transmit profoundly conservative values. Content of texts produced by A Beka Books and Bob Jones University Press is virtually identical to materials produced and disseminated by the Christian Right and other conservative groups. (Contains 42…