Provides topics and activities by which English teachers can make their students visually literate and capable of critical television viewing. (RL)

A satirical essay that purports to describe a meeting of an educational foundation deciding how to spend a grant to improve writing instruction. (TJ)

Details the origin, plan, and benefits of a high school program which created a bridge between classroom teacher, guidance counselor, and student. (DD)

Describes the institution, operation, and ultimate failure of a completely elective, ungraded minicourse system in a rural high school. (DD)

Finds that, although literary theory is the language of expression in research-oriented universities that train Ph.D.s in English, most college English classes are still taught in the formalist way they have been for many years, suggesting a lack of communication between research and nonresearch institutions. (PA)

Argues that the "Standards for the English Language Arts" (SELA) gives English teachers direction. Discusses what "teaching English" means. Suggests that SELA is not a prescriptive list of measurement items nor a cookbook for skillful English teaching: SELA is a statement of principles of, for, and by professionals, and a K-12 statement of…

Traces the public furor that greeted the National Council of Teachers/International Reading Association's "Standards for the English Language Arts." Discusses responses to criticisms. Argues that the language in the "Standards" is flat; the standards are meant to be guidelines, not mandates; and the emphasis was on process. (RS)

Reflects on a research project conducted by two professionals in language arts instruction investigating the curriculum decisions and book selection among classroom teachers. Recounts the researchers' own attempt to make sense of new ideas in the field and the application and relevance of those ideas to classroom practice. (TB)

Describes the new language curriculum implemented in 1991 in Singapore (replacing one in use since 1982). Describes how objectives for language and literacy education have changed from a concern with linguistic accuracy and functional literacy to an emphasis on literacy for personal growth and the meeting of students' present and future needs. (SR)

Discusses current thinking on the theory-practice relationship within both literary and curriculum theory by presenting ideas and positions of representative figures from each discipline. Suggests an approach that seeks to capitalize on the important and common aspects of both. (KEH)

Explains why courses on adolescent and children's literature are valuable additions to the college English curriculum. Outlines the content for both courses offered at Youngstown State University in Ohio. (MM)

"English for Ages 5 to 11," a report prepared by the English Working Group (England), is presented as a positive step toward improved English instruction for special education students, as it returns to a pupil-centered view of teaching/learning, supports entitlement to a full English curriculum, and integrates assessment into…

Describes how one English teacher developed a five-day approach by which William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" was successfully introduced to a seventh-grade class. Argues that it is possible to have such young students read and enjoy Shakespeare. (HB)

Describes the kinds of teaching jobs that most recent doctorates in English attain. Discusses the role of the English professor at regional universities. Considers how it is different from the role of professor at a larger state university or at a smaller private college. (HB)

Discusses the ongoing debate about the role of literature in the freshman composition course. Claims that teachers of these courses individually determine the nature of each course. Shows that, for many decades, literature has not retained a secure place in freshman composition courses. (HB)