A new era is coming in which business and education will contribute what each is best equipped to contribute in order to bring advanced technology and the economies of scale to education. (Author/IRT)

Examines recent studies that indicate that schools should not restrict themselves to goals that maximize the kind of intelligence IQ tests measure. Suggests that alternatives in education could possibly identify and nurture some of those skills and talents that have more influence on adult success than does IQ. (Author/DN)

Describes how Niles Township High School's self-directive contracts with students have cut down incidents of vandalism and disruptive behavior. (Author)

Explores the basic characteristics of the slum school as a social institution, and examines the relevance of sociological categories for institution building in education. (JF)

Traces the development of the discipline-centered approach to curriculum planning and emphasizes need for greater integration between what is taught and what secondary students need to know and understand to meet the problems of their real world. (JK)

A fourth-grade science teacher turns a classroom incident of flatulence into a wide-ranging science discussion. He advocates spontaneous, almost random, free-flowing lessons; exploitation of charged subjects (including death, sex, disease); and nonlinear, yet organically organized, purposeful connections of various subjects leading to satisfying…

The elimination of traditional courses in favor of student-originated, self-graded projects in the Department of Geology and Geography at St. Lawrence University in Canton (New York) proved too radical for the entire faculty. The program eventually became two-tracked, offering students both traditional and student-generated learning situations.…

Reports on a study of 14 elementary and secondary schools, showing that incentives encourage teachers to continue innovative practices. Notes that principals are in the best position to provide incentives and considers the nature of incentives for both principals and teachers. (PGD)

Describes 16-week intergenerational computer tutoring program in two replacement language-arts classes called Ambassadors of the Computer Age. Special-needs middle-school students improved their language-arts skills while teaching older adults how to use computer technology. (PKP)

Contrasts two fourth-grade teachers' treatment of a student's robin eggshell. One teacher continues with a conventional, text-based science lesson; the other asks what the eggshell means and helps students devise research questions to be pursued in the library and in art class. Also, seven provocative questions are posed for would-be education…

Highly visible roster of villains--people who have retarded or damaged public education--would encourage those in power to exercise more perspicacity. Top baddies are Congress (for lobbying for curative instead of preventive programs), Lewis Terman (for advocating tracking), James Bryant Conant (for advising high schools to become larger). All…

Just as testing generally is not the answer to the multifaceted problems facing contemporary American education, performance assessment is no panacea. Before embracing this new evaluation method, educators should assess the movement's claims, costs, and characteristics. At present, both goals and costs are uncertain. (30 references) (MLH)