This report explores educational-research projects initiated by the National Institute for Educational Research (NIER) of Japan. Selected counties in Asia and the Pacific region, as well as in other areas, were invited to undertake national studies of school curriculums. To share their experiences and to facilitate a comparative analysis of…

This guide is designed to assist early childhood services in New Zealand to develop quality improvement systems and undertake quality reviews. The guide extends concepts and ideas from the government's Revised Statement of Desirable Objectives and Practices (DOPs), Quality in Action, and Te Whariki. Section 1 of the guide explains what a quality…

This paper outlines the argument that there is a convergence of curricular goals across early childhood services in all European countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and a move to define more clearly the developmental goals and outcomes that services should achieve; the trend is positive for both children…

Summer schools are an integral part of the Key Stage 3 of England's National Literacy Strategy. They play an important role in giving students, who are still at Level 3 in the National Curriculum tests, a flying start to their secondary school career by making links between the Year 6 and Year 7 curriculum. Students are expected to achieve the…

This book contains materials to help teachers and practitioners in England to teach writing in the Reception Year of the Foundation Stage and through Key Stage 1. It emphasizes the importance of shared writing and teaching from the objectives in the National Literacy Strategy Framework for Teaching and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority…

Discusses project work, describes what it is, why it should be used, and how its aims are defined. Highlights classroom management during project periods and provides a list of project goals that relate to domains and benchmarks of the English-as-a-Foreign-Language curriculum in Israel. (Author/VWL)

This article reviews the current state of gifted education in Great Britain, noting the development of a national center; effects of the National Curriculum; needs; aims; and issues, such as early childhood education, distance inservice courses for teachers, and use of information technology to individualize instruction. (DB)

Argues that decency and good manners are not optional but essential ingredients of a democratic society. Discusses examples of decency and good manners in relation to citizenship education. Claims that there is an implicit and explicit role for schools to teach decency as part of the curriculum. (CFR)

Examines values and purpose in mathematics education in Scottish schools in light of declining Scottish scores on international and national mathematics assessments and the rhetoric of national policy documents. Argues that policy documents convey an unclear, dual vision of mathematics learning as a carefully structured activity with predetermined…

Over the last several years, state boards of education have become increasingly engaged in the development of content and performance standards and the assessments that will accompany them. This guidebook provides information on the move toward standards-based education. Part 1 provides a brief historical overview that places the standards…

Most current writing about American public education describes it in terms of a crisis situation. However, schools often serve as scapegoats for the failure of other institutions and for social ills that they had no part in creating. This book presents a collection of essays and commentaries on recent proposals for educational reform and actions…

Contends that, over the past 10-15 years, critical studies has become established in the primary and secondary phases of art and design education. Maintains that critical studies is a collective term for a range of interests and activities that enrich those practical components of the art curriculum regarded as core disciplines. (CFR)

States that a national survey indicated that 82% of British citizens reported learning nothing about the United Nations in school. Discusses efforts to improve education about the United Nations through the National Curriculum in England and Wales. (CFR)

Describes an increasing shift in the British educational system toward vocationalism. Recognizes proliferation of the belief that education primarily should prepare the student for work. Differentiates between industry's profit-making goal and education's complex range of functions. Expresses concern that society emphasizes individualism as…

This document summarizes the academic standards-related activities of 26 national organizations, business organizations, and professional organizations. Each summary includes contact information and describes the organization's mission and purpose, interest in standards, and activities for technical assistance, dissemination, assessment, and…