Three "systems" approaches to school reform are outlined. The national standards and assessment movement targets poor student performance nationally. Parental choice advocates want to bring market competition into public schooling. Integrated human services draw from education and social service agencies to provide a comprehensive, coherent…

Project 2061 is a nationwide education-reform initiative that is in the forefront of the standards movement in science, mathematics, and technology education. It shows that high academic standards can support good professional development, and vice versa. This article describes the use of standards; explains the layers of standards (national,…

Explains why the national standards effort in education failed, discusses the existence and diffusion of current standards, and describes how credible national level standards might be developed. Development recommendations include brevity; concentration on skills required for student advancement; the need for review, revision, and field testing;…

Highlights of Public Law 103-227 (Goals 2000: Educate America Act) are presented. Contents include: a summary of how this Act will provide a framework for meeting the national education goals for all students, including those with disabilities; selected definitions of terms used in the legislation; and objectives of the eight national education…

This report provides an overview and analysis of the Clinton Administration's school reform proposal, Goals 2000: Educate America Act, submitted to the 103d Congress on April 22, 1993. The proposal, which seeks to create a national structure for supporting school reform, addresses three primary topics: (1) education goals, standards, and…

This study explored the feasibility of using the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) teacher assessment and certification process as part of a comprehensive strategy to improve professional culture and teaching quality in low-performing schools. Data from surveys of NBPTS California Support Network members were used to…

This study examined the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification process, investigating 65 white and African American teachers from North Carolina, Ohio, and the District of Columbia who had sought National Board certification in one of two areas--early adolescence/English language Arts and middle…

Education standards are left to the discretion of individual states. However, efforts to help states and local school districts define world-class standards are intensifying. The U.S. Department of Education, the National Education Goals Panel, and New Standards, a partnership of 17 states and 6 school districts, are among those involved. (MLF)

This interview with Linda Darling-Hammond examines recommendations in the new national report, "What Matters Most: Teaching and America's Future," which focuses attention on improving teaching as a way to improve student achievement. The interview examines such issues as characteristics of good faculty development; the effect of national teaching…

Examines development and implementation of Britain's National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) initiative, particularly the needs-assessment process, from an assessment center manager's perspective. Despite the pace, changing context, and inadequate resources, this initiative has ensured that principals will have more systematic…

Presents a position statement from the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) that expresses a vision for the reform of science teaching and learning. Comments on inquiry-based instruction, reflective teaching, assessment practices, subject matter, equity in science programs, and the professional development of science teachers. (DDR)

Diane Ravitch makes an articulate case for higher national standards and more emphasis on performance assessments of various kinds, but she does this by simplifying the issues and failing to understand some of the most powerful economic, ideological, and political currents in the United States and elsewhere. (SLD)

Continuous improvement in the quality of service offered to children, young people, parents and carers has been a key priority of the education system in Scotland over many years. Scottish pre-school centres and schools have well-established processes for self-evaluation based on the quality indicators in "How good is our school?" (1996,…

This publication provides information to art educators, administrators, and concerned citizens regarding new national standards in education. A massive reform effort is taking place that requires strengthening areas and uses the "Visual Arts Standards" as a basis for five areas: (1) developing state frameworks, local curriculum, and teacher…

President George W. Bush has unveiled an activist education plan that requires states to improve their worst schools or face sanctions from the federal government. The plan would tie Title I money to the states' adopting "clear, measurable goals focused on basic skills and essential knowledge" and testing children every year in grades 3-8.…