Reviews "Constructing Critical Literacies" (1997), describing the various approaches of the main contributors to the book. Sets these selections against a critical literacy rubric which would equip children with literacy for active, autonomous, and democratic citizenship, and finds a qualified positive relationship. (NH)

Australia's national training packages may result in poorer student learning outcomes and may threaten credit transfer between vocational education and training and higher education. The national training packages are not good models for other countries and the policy needs to be reviewed. (Contains 26 references.) (JOW)

As the use of digital technologies in teaching and learning becomes more institutionalized in pre-service teacher preparation, it becomes increasingly necessary to incorporate content specific technology experiences to enable career and technical teachers to seamlessly integrate the diversity of digital tools available to today's learners. Using…

This ERIC Digest investigates the earth and space science guidelines of the National Science Education Standards. These guidelines are frequently referred to as the earth system and include components such as plate tectonics, the water cycle, and the carbon cycle. This Digest describes the development of earth systems science and earth systems…

In 1917, after much agitation for alcohol prohibition by many temperance societies and organizations, the House of Representatives wanted to make Prohibition the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and sent the amendment to the states for ratification. Thirteen months later enough states said yes to the amendment. It was now against the law to…

Discusses the Standards Project for English Language Arts, an attempt to reform English instruction which potentially could engender broad, rapid changes in language arts instruction. Describes recent instructional innovations in which the author has participated, including mass media and multicultural instruction. (HB)

Reports on an instrument that has been shown to be useful in helping novice teachers reflect on and change their science teaching praxis. The instrument provides a readily accessible model of instruction that aligns with student-centered models of instruction advocated by national science standards documents. Contains 35 references. (Author/WRM)

Summarizes the creation and results of the 1997 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Arts Assessment Report Card. Discusses the creation and the many improvements made to the NAEP Assessment, particularly the Arts Assessment. Discusses the impact of the assessment. (SC)

The cable television channels A&E and the History Channel (and their Web sites) offer an array of creative ideas developed by teachers who understand teachers' busy schedules. This booklet provides supplementary content for A&E and History Channel programs along with correlation links to the national standards, grade level guidelines,…

The content and objectives of the Pacesetter Spanish course, developed by the College Board, are compared with those of the "National Standards for Foreign Language Learning: Preparing for the Twenty-First Century," published in 1996 and are generally adopted by the foreign language teaching community. The comparison begins with the…

This economics unit of study consists of 10 lessons. Each lesson sets out key terms (such as demand, scarcity, monetary costs, property rights, and cost/benefit analysis); outlines the national content standards addressed; lists objectives; provides teaching and discussion ideas; suggests sample interactive discussion problems and sample small…

Discussed are summary recommendations concerning the integration of some aspects of discrete mathematics into existing secondary mathematics courses. Outlines of course activities are grouped into the three levels of prealgebra, algebra, and geometry. Some sample problems are included. (JJK)

Shares background information on the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) assessment systems which were developed from the United Kingdom's national standards for laboratory technicians working in schools and colleges. Offers recommendations for individuals or institutions that are preparing to…

Discusses Margaret Gills's theory of two discourses operating in "the politics of literacy": (1) the discourse that stresses a broad ranging notion of literacy and warns against a narrow, functional definition; and (2) the discourse that argues that Australia is in the middle of a major literary crisis. Asks what problem the National…

Describes how the string orchestra students of Natchitoches Central High School in Natchitoches (Louisiana) and their director commissioned the composer Jody Nagel to write a composition dedicated to their ensemble in order to increase the students' understanding of composition. Discusses student reaction to the project and use of discipline-based…