Few nations can claim that education is not a source of conflict. Although education alone cannot overcome all social evils, two problems can be attacked through a redirection of educational policies. The problems of illiteracy and of providing a basic education to all are the objectives of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural…

Two essays present a rationale for teaching and learning in the arts and consider the place of the arts in basic education. The first essay, "Art and Educational Inflation," by Jacques Barzun was the keynote address at the National Art Education Association Conference in 1978. Barzun attacks what he calls the inflationary language presently used…

Examines issues related to minimum competency, particularly implications of minimum competency for schools and students. Concludes that educators should focus on specific academic and social skills and competencies which can be evaluated regularly according to a variety of objective and subjective formats. (Author/DB)

Discusses the position of the arts in the school curriculum, the different attitudes held by parents and administrators on basic education versus art education, and the growing attitude of educators that the arts are fundamental to the entire educational curriculum. (RK)

The challenge for multicultural education is to provide an educational experience which will help develop and maintain multicultural competencies, often in opposition to negative multicultural educational influences of the societal curriculum. Presents a model of the multicultural skills, attitudes, and knowledge competencies that teachers should…

Discusses findings from a survey of 286 public school teachers in major American cities which indicated that students' lack of basic skills is a major problem in teaching. Teachers also expressed concern over lack of community and administrative support, lack of necessary financial resources, and shortage of qualified personnel in the teaching…

Discusses the implementation of the "T & E" legislation (Thorough and Efficient) in New Jersey that would provide a minimum level of educational opportunity for every student. (RK)

While the assessment movement has spanned more than two decades, there is great variation in its degree of implementation among community colleges throughout the country. Building on literature in the field, this chapter discusses and gives examples of concepts and major areas involved in the assessment of student learning at the institutional…

Plato wrote that higher order thinking could not start until the student had mastered conventional wisdom. The American educational establishment has turned Plato on his head with the help of a dubious approach to teaching developed by one Benjamin Bloom. Bloom's taxonomy was intended for higher education, but its misappropriation has resulted in…

Since its adoption in January 1987, Connecticut's Common Core of Learning has set the standard of an educated citizen for the state, and the five 1991-1995 Statewide Educational Goals for Students incorporate its policy on the skills, knowledge and attitudes that are expected of Connecticut's public secondary school graduates. The Common Core…

This collection of reading activities was designed to give classroom teachers in Kentucky a variety of approaches, options, and techniques for teaching the essential skills in reading. The activities and skills are organized into units according to grade level; one series of activities follows each reading objective determined to be an indicator…

The author identifies the essentials of an educated person as: basic skills, common learnings (family relationships, social group status, property and trade, government and law, ethnic differences, ethics, sexuality, conflict resolution, and natural phenomena understanding), understanding of leisure time, and career education. (EA)

Middle school principals must continue to provide leadership for staff development programs. As the instructional leader of the middle school, the principal faces the challenge of assisting both new and experienced teachers in developing teaching strategies that are consistent with the characteristics and needs of transescent students. At the same…

Defines skill, performance, and competency, relates the concept of competency based education to the intent of the Hart Bill, the Stull Bill or AB 65, i.e., to insure that students master and perform basic skills of communication and computation, and considers some underlying assumptions that are the basis of educational legislation. (Author/RK)

The changing role of computational skills is discussed. A level of computational skill desirable in light of predictable future needs is proposed, and four reasons for advocating that level are discussed. (MN)