Examines people's typical queries about a child's performance, school success or failure, best learning practices, and ways to determine educational effectiveness. To provide useful information about student achievement, an accountability system must embody clear standards that have been communicated to students, parents, teachers and other…

Focuses on the importance of building four capacities in students: disciplinary knowledge, thinking skills, commitment to democratic values, and citizen participation. Examines the use of learning communities to develop these capacities. Discusses the application of brain based learning research to the classroom, such as immersion within the…

The Oregon Pre-engineering Learning Outcomes Project was conducted by the Educational Policy Improvement Center (EPIC) with grant funding from the Engineering and Technology Industry Council (ETIC). The study sought to improve student preparation and success in pre-engineering programs through the development of the Oregon Pre-engineering Learning…

An "environmental scan" is designed to identify key issues of policy and practice in an area of interest so that action can be taken. By definition, an environmental scan focuses upon areas of concern. However, the results of an environmental scan are not designed to be either an indictment or endorsement of the current way of doing…

This paper serves as a reflective dialog around the special circumstances of teaching in contemporary kindergarten through grade 3 classrooms. Three public school teachers who were prepared to teach in a program emphasizing an understanding of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) describe their experiences teaching in public school…

The federal Migrant Education Program provides supplemental instruction and other support services to migrant children. The program provides formula grants to states under Title I, Part C, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This document summarizes the data from a three-volume study, which examined how the program is helping migrant…

This handbook has been produced by member cities of the Developing Intercultural Education through Cooperation between European Cities (DIECEC) Network as an overview and synthesis of actions that have been successful in raising the academic achievement of ethnic minority and bilingual students. This practical guide is a synthesis of proven…

Mathematics teachers from 3 school districts watched a 50-minute mathematics lesson video taped in Japan. Participants were asked to compare this lesson against the vision of improved practice promoted by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Use of the video as a concrete referent clarified participants' interpretations of…

This document presents the results of a project conducted by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) on the implications of national science education standards documents for the science curriculum. This book features background papers and recommendations directed towards those responsible for curriculum reform, regardless of their roles…

Discusses the specific ingredients for leadership and the environments for developing those qualities. (RK)

States that collaborative learning has been absent from the field of music education. Presents a literature review on collaborative learning, focusing on issues such as the issue of student achievement and the difference between cooperative and collaborative learning. Explores research on collaborative learning in music education. Includes…

Suggests some consequences of program equity for educational policy and practice. Stakes go up because program equity demands support for high minimum performance outcomes and coordination of implementation decisions and actions across a fragmented education system. Teacher networks are one way to link top-down and bottom-up change strategies…

Argues that high-stakes testing is inconsistent with the National Science Education Standards' goals regarding what students are taught about the nature and purposes of science. (Contains 23 references.) (Author)

Past studies reveal that science safety in the nation's schools needs significant attention (Gerlovich and Parsa 2002; Gerlovich et al. 2002; Gerlovich, Wilson, and Parsa 1998; and Young 1972). These studies have focused on individual states and the issues and hazards specific to those states. A comprehensive study is needed to identify and…

Neoliberal economic policies have guided the post-socialist transformation of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, with far-reaching implications for its national educational system. The provision of environmental education has been affected by the expansion of environmental NGOs into the traditional liabilities of the state. This has…