Textbooks play a central role in the US education system. High school level World Geography textbooks are an important tool in the campaign to reform geography education in the United States, particularly through the introduction of the National Geography Standards. The status of the Standards in US schools is appraised. Five factors (authority,…

Interior design, as a field of study, is a rapidly growing area of interest--particularly for teenagers in the United States. Part of this interest stems from the proliferation of design-related reality shows available through television media. Some art educators and curriculum specialists in the nation perceive the study of interior spaces as a…

A 1994 national survey collected copies of 36 states' student outcomes, standards, or goals documents. Two states, Florida and Indiana, and the District of Columbia included information related to goals, outcomes, standards, or indicators that could be compared to the National Center on Educational Outcomes for Students with Disabilities (NCEO)…

This investigation mapped the correspondence between indicators at the post-school level included in the comprehensive system of educational outcomes and indicators developed by the National Center for Educational Outcomes (NCEO) and indicators included in select national data collection programs. The NCEO model articulates outcomes and indicators…

The history and accomplishments of the National Education Goals Panel (NEGP) are traced from the Education Summit in Charlottesville (Virginia) in 1989 when President Bush and 50 state governors agreed to set education goals for the nation. The goals were announced in February 1990, and the NEGP was formed in July 1990 to issue annual reports on…

In this paper, we describe the results a study assessing the relationship between the certification of teachers by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and elementary level student achievement. We examine whether NBPTS assesses the most effective applicants, whether certification by NBPTS serves as a signal of teacher…

This monograph presents the results of the seventh annual survey of state school finance legislation with an overview of legislation passed in 2000, abstracts of all bills passed, and a trend analysis dating back to 1994, including both established and emergent trends. Established trends in the funding areas of educational technology, school…

This paper discusses issues regarding the continuum of teacher preparation, particularly related to the alignment between degree programs in institutions of higher education and the professional growth of teachers. Guided by interviews with faculty at institutions that are aligning their master's degrees with National Board for Professional…

This report is intended to inform policymakers, administrators, and teachers regarding the development of standards or benchmarks addressing language and literacy skills in prekindergarten programs. The report notes that although standards and benchmarks can bring clarity to what should be expected of young children, there are challenges in…

This paper reports on the progress of a Nevada Teacher Enhancement grant, Reinventing Teacher Preparation and Licensing through Performance-Based Reform in Nevada, toward meeting its stated goals in the first year. The goals are: (1) Nevada will use performance-based licensing for licensing teachers; and (2) Nevada will have National Board of…

Academic standards are central to reinventing schools and transforming U.S. education. Higher standards are necessary to replace minimal standards implicit in most textbooks and tests. Standards communicate that all students can achieve at higher levels and that teachers are reclaiming the profession. Standards also inspire systemic reform, create…

Exhibitions are one way to exemplify high standards while serving both individual liberty and civic virtue. Exhibitions begin with determination of what students should know and be able to do and proceed methodically backward to define what and how students must be taught to reach those outcomes. Policy options to ensure accountability through…

Development of "Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics" is story of professional community recognizing need, reaching consensus through review and analysis, and conceiving clear vision and reform strategy. Standards were developed to ensure quality, indicate goals, promote change. Lacking profit motive, educational…

Examination of the school reform movement and its relationship to higher education identified six implications for colleges and universities and ways for governing boards to support them. Factors foreseen include emergence of national educational standards, emphasis on teacher training, slow progress, increasing diversity, advancing technology,…

Through participation in school music programs, students gain a sense of discipline, self-esteem, pride of accomplishment and learn to excel in teamwork, problem solving, leadership, creative thinking. Education Secretary Richard W. Riley and President Bill Clinton are strong advocates for enriched arts education for every child. Newly developed…