Literacy is a device that society uses to reproduce itself and adapt to social changes. The literacy of interpretation and understanding emphasized in schools is an effort to align school subjects with new markets, workplace tools, democratic processes, family practices, and personal growth. The standards movement, including English standards,…

Discusses how the National Curriculum in England affects teachers and students. Notes that while standards have risen, many teachers are concerned that teaching is being limited to ensuring students' performance in a narrow range of capabilities. Maintains that the focus should be on teaching children how to think. (KB)

Reports on a study that examines how well middle school programs support the attainment of key scientific ideas specified in the national science standards. Identifies the typical strengths and weaknesses of these programs using research-based criteria. (Contains 88 references.) (DDR)

Focuses on the benchmark statements of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in the United Kingdom. Addresses the document "Geography for Life: The National Geography Standards" created within the United States. Believes that the benchmark statement is useful for geographers within the United States. (CMK)

In this excerpt from her new book, "National Standards in American Education: A Citizen's Guide," Diane Ravitch argues that there are steps local school boards, parents, and communities can take to implement educational reform and high academic standards. (MLF)

What is striking about the Goals 2000 initiative is its virtual omission of the student, except as passive receptacle. To claim that students will learn more with heightened expectations is misleading. For content to take root, it must connect with students' internal "prepared structures" and become a "comfortable friend." In…

Details the history and politics of educational standards in American educational institutions. Outlines key features of various standards projects. (HB)

Describes contributions made by the National Council on the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), noting changes in accreditation standards for teacher preparation programs. The article describes a study of the first 20 schools seeking accreditation under the new NCATE process. Results indicated national accreditation had a significant…

Results of a Council for Basic Education poll of 1,000 voters argue for redefining local control of public education and for raising standards in every part of the country. School boards can ensure easy public access to national standards, demand that local standards be written in plain English, and lobby state officials to clarify statewide…

Examines geometry language used in K-6 textbooks and compares the findings to language used in modern mathematics standards documents. Finds a substantial misalignment between the geometry presented in textbooks, the geometry teaching expectations of mathematics education professionals, and the geometry being assessed in student performance…

Presents Atlanta's Superintendent of Public Schools' views on national standards for foreign-language learning. He suggests that all educators promote national standards for foreign-language learning and assessment, despite the resistance they will meet. He states that all children can learn multiple languages, but they must start young, and that…

Argues the case for common national standards in K-12 public schools, explains why past national standardization efforts have stumbled, and explores what currently needs to be done as well as the perceived obstacles. The author concludes by explaining why the issue of common national academic standards is related to equality of opportunity. (GR)

Teachers, principals, school systems, parents, and textbook publishers have been blamed for students' failure to meet tougher standards. Instead, expectations for achieving unreasonable state and Goals 2000 standards should be critically examined. Testing state legislators, school board members, administrators, and teachers might illuminate the…

Argues that the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education's (NCATE) intent to accredit only high quality programs is overly grandiose, suggesting that NCATE should instead focus on identifying weak programs. The article argues in support of this minimalist mission for NCATE and offers suggestions for moving NCATE toward a more…

Provides an example of how literary theory and standards-based classroom practice can promote active reading experiences with the text as well as interactions with other members of the class. (Author/VWL)