A short 27 months ago, two groups of U.S. states were each awarded more than $175 million to design, develop, and pilot test a new generation of assessments (U.S. Department of Education, 2010). These new tests will replace assessments in English language arts and mathematics that are currently in use within state and federal accountability…

Only a cooperative approach to teacher growth can effectively satisfy the compelling need to retrain and upgrade existing personnel. (Author)

The Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow (ACOT) project is a flexible consortium of researchers, educators, students, and parents who have worked collaboratively to create and study innovative learning environments since 1985. ACOT classrooms are true multimedia environments where students move from competitive work patterns toward collaborative ones. (10…

The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development's Only the Best Web is addressing the information overload problem via an interactive knowledge website providing access to many ASCD electronic products and services, highly rated software, and other multimedia resources. Ultimately, schools will create their own websites and have access…

Demoralized by disappearing dollars and omission of the arts from national education goals, the arts education community has formed a consortium of professional organizations to write standards and address related issues, such as balance among the arts and multicultural and technological concerns. To anchor the arts firmly in the curriculum, they…

Describes the Minority Student Achievement Network, a consortium of 15 school districts with significant achievement gaps between white students and their African-American and Latino counterparts. Network includes school districts from Massachusetts, Michigan, Virginia, California, North Carolina, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Jersey, and New…

A group of school districts in Western Oregon has developed a goal-based improvement model that provides teachers and administrators with a common information base. (Author)

Southeastern New Hampshire schoolchildren are involved in three network science projects for grades 2-8: Batnet, Birdnet, and Treenet. The listserv projects were developed by a group of teachers interested in using the computer-Internet connection to enrich and extend the science learning. Network science makes topics more real, lends immediacy to…

New Standards Project directors believe that U.S. educational system must educate all students to high standards. Type of test administered heavily influences classroom practice. New system, consisting of portfolios; performance-based matrix exam tasks, projects, and exhibitions; and work selected by districts, teachers, and students will extend…

A consortium comprised of a technologically advanced suburban high school, a struggling urban high school, and a resourceful private college has helped the two high schools publish an online magazine, develop interdisciplinary projects, and prepare submissions to an online chemistry magazine. Linking high- and low-achieving schools benefitted all…

New Standards Project is consortium of 17 states and 6 leading school districts working with cluster of specialists to design and implement system of performance standards, authentic assessments, and professional development aimed at improving educational equity and excellence. New matrix examinations and portfolios will yield results that can be…