This paper is an ethnography of a high school mathematics department that has been struggling with curriculum change since 1977. A literature review of curriculum reform revealed four elements of mathematics reform: (1) a focus on students' complex thinking; (2) a change in locus of authority in the classroom; (3) a change in student roles; and…

A brief policy paper on multicultural education and a bulletin from the State Superintendent on its implementation in schools in Washington State are included in this report. The first paper lists 31 competencies that should be demonstrated by teachers who teach in multicultural settings. It also discusses the "change roles" that both…

From the monthly Saturday Review supplement, "Education in America, sponsored by the Charles F. Kettering Foundation.

The purpose of the conference was to explore the common elements in the educational system at the secondary and post secondary levels, focusing on the changing role of the student in the system. The proceedings consist of: (1) two talks delivered at the conference: "The Student and the System," by Edgar Friedenberg, and "Demythologizing the…

A gathering of student activists from the 1930s and 1960s to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the American Student Union and a retrospective of liberal and radical student activism are described, and the comments and attitudes of former activists are reported. (MSE)

Argues that recent studies on education have failed to recognize the dysfunctional structure of schools. Outlines change strategies suggested by Goodlad and Sizer, who advocate greater clarity of goals, more teacher autonomy, smaller schools or subunits within schools, and end to ability tracking, building-level improvement planning, and…

This 24-minute videotape explores learning and teaching in classrooms where technology has provided an opportunity for change. In the videotape, actual classroom scenes show new roles and relationships for both students and teachers. Educators reflect on the rewards and challenges of a process that has led to fundamental shifts in classroom…

Details the stories of three women from different backgrounds who met as part of the Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking project, an education reform initiative based in Central and Eastern Europe. Describes each author's story of cross-cultural education and muses on her learning as part of an international community. Discusses themes of…

Describes a study which seeks to document classrooms in the United States and Canada as teachers embrace new technologies and new literacy. Proposes that new literacy classrooms feature: ongoing, continuous use of multiple forms of representation; explicit discussion of symbol usage; a balance of choice and collaborative activities; and evidence…

Presents goals desired for teachers and students for science education reform: positive attitude; creativity; effective communication; appreciation of the usefulness of science; active classrooms; science for everyone; innovative teaching; ability to ask questions; minds-on activities; student self-evaluation; and students see, students do. (MKR)

Explores the connection between U.S. college students' increased career orientation and the growth of geographic information systems (GIS) and experiential education in the curricula of U.S. geography programs. Maintains that the discipline should not focus only on the technical aspects of geography but beware also of neglecting the general…

In this paper, in response to Ajay Sharma's paper titled "Portrait of a science teacher as a bricoleur: A case study from India" and associated reviews, I address the value of bridging two narrative styles for describing teacher development, discuss questions of over-essentializing an Indian school context, propose that teacher and…

Suggestions for changing the traditional roles of teachers as inactive learners and students as those who are taught were discussed with the goal of making the learning process coincident for both teacher and student. (RK)

Examines issues related to educational change, discussing both the teacher and the computer as change agents and the student's role in learning. Indicates that one educational goal is to have students become self-reliant and independent learners and that computers can help achieve this goal. (JN)

Noting that the first decade of the new millennium is sure to see continuing efforts to reform curriculum and classroom practices by implementing the middle school concept, this booklet answers middle school teachers' most pressing questions about the cornerstone of the middle school concept, integrated curriculum. The 20 questions addressed…