Best practice research in secondary science education begins with a noble goal: learn from the excellence of past instruction in order to help mold future instructional practice. On the surface, it seems that all people need to do is find excellent science teachers, find out what they do in the classroom, and recreate this in other classes around…

This discussion paper provides a rationale for the development of professional teaching standards in Australia. It is the result of a 2000 national forum on professional teaching standards held in Melbourne, Australia, which included 150 educators who explored contemporary issues associated with such standards and constructed a framework for…

Describes how "Principles and Standards for School Mathematics" was developed and its highlights. (KHR)

Draws upon the experiences of participants in a Ph.D. program and a professional doctorate program to explore the descriptors for doctorates used by Britain's Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). Concludes that analysis of the similarities and differences between doctorate program types reveals qualitative distinctions that the QAA fails to address.…

Background: In this article we address some of the challenges posed by the development of national assessment systems and discuss the need for high quality information on trends in attainment; support for school improvement processes and ways in which learning should be enhanced through valid assessment. Purpose: Key elements are explored,…

NASPE STARS is a national recognition program featuring five levels of excellence to recognize outstanding physical education programs in K-J 2 schools across America. The criteria for this award are based on the essential elements that are necessary for a quality physical education program, as defined by the published national standards and…

We must determine national standards, an acceptable degree of student achievement, and ways to guarantee equity while encouraging excellence. Any school can increase its graduation rate by decree through social promotion and lowered grading scales. The shift to standards means a shift to measurable outcomes, true learning, and a quality product.…

Explores the concept of professionalism in teaching and the facilitation of learning in higher education in the United Kingdom, discussing the role of the Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. The article suggests that professionalizing teaching cannot occur through restrictions on the right to practice, but instead will come…

Many excellent teachers already work in the schools. Unfortunately their work regularly goes unrecognized and unrewarded. As a consequence, many first-rate practitioners leave the schools and others who could be exceptional teachers never consider teaching. Worse still, the knowledge and skills of the fine teachers who remain often are…

This report contains four papers reflecting the richness and energy of the issues surrounding national standards in mathematics and science. Papers include: (1) "Are the NCTM Standards Suitable for Systemic Adoption?" (Deborah Tepper Harino); (2) "A Mathematician Looks at National Standards" (Judy Roitman); (3) "Comments about NCTM's Curriculum…

This document offers collected information about Opportunity-to-Learn Standards, which are intended to provide a framework that makes it possible for all students to have equitable access to high-quality education. The first two sections outline why Opportunity-to-Learn Standards are necessary and what they should do. The Summary states that…

This article addresses risk and its minimization as a powerful rationality for driving leadership practices in contemporary schools. It explores risk-consciousness as "a moral climate of politics" (Giddens 2002) and as a management imperative that impacts on any contemporary organization, including schools. The impact of…

Professional Development Schools (PDSs) can potentially affect the quality of teaching and learning of students in Grades K-16. The authors describe the collaborations among teacher education, arts and science, and K-12 classroom teacher faculties involved in a 5-year PDS partnership at Kansas State University. A 15-member language arts team…

There has been considerable interest in national quality assurance process in Turkey following the pilot accreditation project of the Engineering College of the Middle East Technical University (METU) by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), in 2000. ABET accreditation of the Engineering Colleges of Bosphorus and Bilkent…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) Democrats Consider Leftover Spending Bills: Coalition of Health and Education Advocates Pushes for $2 Billion in Additional…