Asserts that the thematic approach used in the National Council for the Social Studies national standards marks a fresh era of thought in social studies instruction. Maintains that the strands can serve as a framework for social studies curriculum development and effective classroom learning experiences. (CFR)

Maintains that the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) curriculum standards provide an opportunity to integrate technology into a thematic curriculum approach. Includes an annotated bibliography of 19 recommended items of educational technology categorized by 10 of the NCSS curriculum themes. (CFR)

The articles in this special section discuss emerging national standards and chart future developments for secondary curricula in health, physical education, arts, music, family and consumer sciences, technology, science education, business education, and social studies. Emphasis is on reform efforts, knowledge development, curriculum frameworks,…

This article offers insight into what Russian educators are facing on a daily basis as they try and find and pursue the best course of action as they attempt to create a curriculum that will address the major needs of Russian society now and in the immediate future. It presents issues related to training teachers of technology and entrepreneurship…

The purpose of this study was to analyze the reform efforts in the education system of Turkey and identify missing points of the reform process that was introduced in 2004. An overview of the Turkish educational system is briefly described, followed by the analysis of the reform's rational. This new curriculum is evaluated in terms of its missing…

This book provides information and activities to help school administrators, technology coordinators, and curriculum developers to establish a school plan that supports in-class technology usage for students and teachers. Chapter 1 provides the context and rationale for the technology shift suggested in the book. Chapter 2 outlines how crucial…

Examines National Science Education Standards related to program consistency, curriculum, mathematics and science integration, resources, schools as learning communities, and equity and excellence. The paper also discusses the standards being developed by the Indiana Professional Standards Board for teacher preparation. (SM)

North Carolina high school physical education teachers and teacher educators have collaborated to implement the Physical Education Partnership for Sport Education (PEPSE), which recreates the learning environment with a focus on curricular revision and assessment. This article describes current conditions, the PEPSE project's solution, how the…

Maintains that, throughout U.S. educational history, expectations of what students should learn have changed only a few times. Discusses competency-based education in social studies and curriculum standards established by the Illinois State Board of Education. Includes criteria standards for social studies. (CFR)

This chart presents the focus, format, status/timelines, implementation plan, dissemination plan, professional development, and contact information for standards in arts, civics/government, economics, English, foreign languages, geography, history, mathematics, physical education, sciences, social studies, industry skills, and health. (SK)

Curriculum standards can help educators achieve important student outcomes. However, only through collaboration, empowerment, and leadership will meaningful school improvement occur. This paper examines the importance of (1) collaborative action research to help teachers assess and improve their own practice and (2) leadership support to encourage…

Discusses the role of the library media specialist in promoting information literacy, focusing on aligning national information-literacy guidelines to state and content-area standards. The integration of information-literacy guidelines into a Minnesota middle school curriculum is described. A sidebar presents an outline that aligns national…

Recalls a previous attempt, via the Committee of Ten, to set national academic standards in American high schools 100 years earlier, describes the effort's defeat, and explains how the objections raised then are much like the ones being raised today. The author argues that the need for national academic standards is more urgent now than ever…

Calls for teachers to share their experiences with target setting, benchmarking, and value added in writing. Also defines each of the three terms. (DDR)

The leadership of Qatar has a social and political vision that calls for improving the outcomes of the Qatari K-12 education system. With this vision in mind, the leadership asked RAND to examine Qatar's K-12 education system, to recommend options for building a world-class system, and, subsequently, to develop the chosen option and support its…