Maintains that the National Arts Standards allows for the inclusion of multicultural perspectives integrated within a dominant European American culture. This places the responsibility for a truly representative and multicultural curriculum back on the art teacher. Provides a neat and concise summary of the arguments for and against multicultural…

Argues that teacher in-service education programs should adopt an explicit standard for programs, value effects of in-service programs on teachers' needs for professional experiences, appreciate differences arising among schools and teachers in efforts to change educational practices, take a longitudinal perspective, and expand evaluation into the…

Looking collaboratively at student and teacher work is a process in which teachers primarily, but also administrators, parents, students, and members of the community, look at student and/or teacher work with the goal of improving student learning. To structure the process and create a safe, caring environment, teachers use a protocol to…

This book is about the assessment and inclusion of all students, including those with disabilities, in statewide and district assessment programs. It addresses aspects of assessment such as testing practices, test content, legal guidelines, technical aspects of tests, students' learning objectives, and instructional programs. Throughout the book,…

This brief paper reports on a study of the practices at four high schools selected for how closely they aligned with criteria and indicators illustrative of authentic and inclusive learning for all students. A table presents profiles of the four schools in terms of setting, students, and practices. Classroom observations, interviews, surveys, and…

Discussion of high school graduation requirements for students with disabilities focuses on legal and practical issues including graduation standards, minimum competency testing, and termination of services. Recommendations are offered to help school districts establish a process for graduating students with disabilities within the legal framework…

The SIP (Standards in Practice) instructional improvement program was successfully implemented in three El Paso school districts. Student scores have soared. Teacher development must be ongoing, site-based, and targeted to all students' specific needs. Teachers need strong verbal and math skills, deep content knowledge, and teaching skill. (MLH)

Designed for use in workshops, this teachers' guide provides advice about the use of portfolios to assess and document students' learning. It also poses questions that will help the teacher focus on critical components of portfolio development. The guide defines a portfolio as a collection of evidence used by the teacher and student to monitor, in…

Certain Japanese educational practices serving as worthwhile examples to the United States' educational system are highlighted in this overview of Japanese education. However, it is stressed that because the United States and the Japanese educational systems are dependent upon their social context and exist in a symbiotic relationship within that…

Describes evaluation of Japanese educational system. Contrasts differences in National Ministry of Education functions, learning time, examinations, career rewards with American system. Examines Japanese rural school organization, funding, administrative certification/staffing, instructional certification/staffing, salaries, instruction, and…

Over a two-year period, the teachers at John Adams Middle School wrote and administered eight common assessments across content areas and met to discuss the results of each. By linking standards, assessments, and instruction, teachers were able to identify areas of need for specific students and address those needs. Educators across the country…

This article outlines BPRS funded investigations into my own school's and other establishments' practices and processes within data analysis, needs identification and tracking of children's academic progress. It describes the evaluation of my school's then current practices and policies and the use of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews…

This report analyzes 40 reports published in 1993 and 1994 that reflect current national education reform initiatives. Included are three types of reports, addressing: the status of education as reflected in student outcomes, academic standards, and reform initiative implementation. Fifteen of the 40 reports address the current status of…

This journal issue addresses the topic of mastery learning at both the elementary and secondary school levels. The first article, "The Theory and Practice of Mastery Learning" (Guskey), gives a definition of and information about the development, operation, and application of mastery learning, based on the theories of Benjamin Bloom. In…

This document contains the four issues of Northwest Education published during the 2001-02 school year. Issue themes are: (1) "High Standards for All: Confronting the New Paradigm"; (2) "New Teachers: From Surviving to Thriving"; (3) "Living Lessons: How Projects Engage Kids and Deepen Understanding"; and (4)…