Third International Mathematics and Science Study results show that high-scoring states and schools do not need standards; low scorers have too many other pressing problems to utilize standards. Recent studies indicate that the proportion of college students requiring remedial courses has been exaggerated by critics. (MLH)

Provides a strategy, from the book "Strategies for Teaching Specialized Ensembles," that addresses Standard 9A of the National Standards for Music Education. Explains that students will identify and describe the musical and historical characteristics of the classical era in music they perform and in audio examples. (CMK)

Examines how the voluntary national U.S. history standards contained within the "National Standards for United States History: Exploring the American Experience" were presented in selected U.S. newspapers. Uses ethnographic content and critical discourse analytic methodologies. Indicates that most newspapers presented a fragmented and inflated…

Designed to guide training and curriculum development to prepare machine operators for the national certification exam, this publication identifies the important knowledge required for productive performance by a plastics machine operator. Introductory material discusses the rationale for a national standard, uses of the Body of Knowledge,…

A study investigated the performance in Standard Grade English language of those Scottish secondary-school candidates who were judged to be "average to below-average" and identified changes in grade-related criteria which might lead to improvements in the teaching of basic competencies. Examination scripts and portfolios from over 600…

This book presents ideas to help middle and high school physical education (PE) teachers develop performance based assessments. The book: identifies problems in traditional PE and explains how using performance based assessment can improve student learning; notes that it is unnecessary to totally rewrite the PE program, offering guidelines for…

The Fall 2003 Idea Book features: "Save Our History Study Guide: Our Documents"; "History International Study Guide: Pyramids"; "The History Channel Study Guide: Lewis and Clark" (Ideas from Our Teachers Contest Rules; Ideas from Our Teachers Context Winners); "A&E Classroom Study Guide: Post…

Beginning a journey mid-May 1804, what became known as the Corps of Discovery, under the command of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, set out to investigate the newly acquired Louisiana Territory, locate a water route to the Pacific Ocean, and strengthen U.S. claims to the northwest. The 55-member group navigated a variety of terrains and…

This book is designed to assist teachers at the 9-12 grade levels in addressing the goals of the National Science Education Standards (NSES) in their own classrooms concerning the teaching and learning of chemistry. The Standards expect students to learn science in an active manner and emphasizes methods of inquiry and deductive reasoning based on…

The standards movement is in a state of crisis. Although states have made progress in developing and implementing standards, some standards-driven reforms and takeover sanctions represent significant threats to students and educators. Principals should focus on new opportunities to become instructional leaders, help teachers use standards to…

Presents a lesson plan that focuses on witchcraft in the Atlantic world. Describes each of the four sections of the lesson that encompasses learning about terms and religious views on witchcraft to the history of witchcraft in New England, in the United States, and the Salem (Massachusetts) witchcraft trials. (CMK)

Employs a graphical analysis evaluating the evolution of the transportation network in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain sections of Georgia and the Carolinas. Concludes that transport expansion appears to support the general parameters of the ideal-typical sequence model and provides useful material for instruction related to the national standards…

Considers how the process of developing standards is similar to previous development efforts such as defining "objectives" and "competencies" just a few decades ago. Analyzes how such standard development processes when combined with high stakes tests place teachers in the position of implementing curricula designed by others.…

Investigates techniques of highly effective teachers of Year 12 English in New South Wales, Australia. Concludes that successful teachers saw themselves as operating in positive school environments and overwhelmingly saw themselves as functioning as part of a team. Notes they used a range of teaching strategies, but emphasized having students…

Representatives from 13 Central and Eastern European countries, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development met for 2 days in Berlin to continue European Training Foundation (ETF) efforts to design a methodology for formulating standards in vocational training (VT)…