Suggests that, despite glib references to "professionalism," the role of teachers as outlined in the British National Curriculum is that of a technician obligated to underwrite prevailing values. (ARH)

This framework for teaching sets out teaching objectives for Reception to Year 6 to enable pupils to become fully literate. It also gives guidance on the Literacy Hour in which this teaching will take place. The document is a reference point for day-to-day teaching, and help for headteachers and governors of schools in England as they plan and…

In 1996, the Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum set out principles for effective science education focused on the overall goal of "scientific capability." Five aspects of capability (scientific curiosity, competence, understanding, creativity, and sensitivity) are examined from theoretical and empirical perspectives,…

Discussed are the goals of a unified national art curriculum: (1) developing visual perception, (2) developing visual literacy, (3) helping students discover and use their creativity, (4) teaching students to respond to personal experiences and their environments, and (5) refining skills in used art media. (RM)

Standards in literacy and mathematics have risen substantially in primary schools in England in recent years. In 2002, 75% of pupils achieved the expected standard for their age in English and 73% did so in mathematics. This booklet is intended to stimulate discussion about the next steps needed to sustain those improvements and to raise standards…

England's National Literacy Strategy is intended to raise standards of literacy for every student. Teachers should aim to include each student in the Literacy Hour. Evidence from the National Literacy Project (NLP), on which the national strategy is based, shows that students with widely varying needs can expect to improve their literacy skills in…

These curriculum materials have been designed to help upper elementary students in England make a successful start at secondary school. These transition units consist of one unit involving 10 lessons at the end of Year 6 and a second unit of six lessons at the beginning of Year 7. The units use teaching objectives drawn from the primary and Key…

The Department for Education and Employment's "The Year 7 Spelling Bank" is intended to support teachers in England in teaching spelling systematically and enjoyably in ways which help students to develop a positive perspective on themselves as spellers. This booklet contains a bank of teaching ideas to help in the teaching of word level…

This booklet, developed by England's Department for Education and Employment, provides information and teaching strategies to support the teaching of speaking and listening skills and develop confidence as speakers and listeners, by providing models, carefully planned activities and tasks that promote different kinds of talk and listening, and…

Recognizing the contributions of quality early childhood education in providing a foundation for children's later learning and in supporting families, the New Zealand government developed Desirable Objectives and Practices (DOP), requirements to enhance quality in chartered early childhood programs. This publication was developed to assist…

One way to manage marking error, in a large-scale educational testing context, is to establish a mechanism through which appeals can be lodged. While, at one level, this seems to offer a straightforward technical solution to the problem of marking error, it can also result in unintended consequences, with political, social or educational…

American educators can learn a great deal from monitoring the educational changes taking place in England as the British model for a national curriculum is put into practice. This curriculum, mandated by the Education Reform Act of 1988, is being phased into the schools on a multi-year schedule, with complete implementation scheduled for 1995. The…

This booklet provides information and teaching strategies to support the teaching of sentence level work in Year 7 (England). Focus in the booklet is on using the sentence level objectives in the context of shared writing, and the emphasis is on putting knowledge and language to use, rather than treating it in isolation. Care has been taken to…

Discusses the education for citizenship program that is part of the National Curriculum in Great Britain. Maintains that citizenship can be interpreted in a minimal, or formal way or in a maximal, or more personal fashion. Calls for a national debate to define more clearly the meaning of citizenship. (CFR)

Examines the British government's recent advice about target setting and compares it with evidence-based understanding of the technique. Although the official advice is deemed unhelpful and ideological, some use of target setting that involves all stakeholders' participation is recommended for raising student achievement. (Contains 29 references.)…