Discusses how empathy is promoted in the United Kingdom's National Curriculum. Notes that the concept is ambiguous, especially as it is used in the subject of history. Describes how this concept impedes planning, teaching, and assessment. Suggests that understanding how children reason is more productive that making assumptions about how they…

Examines "The National Curriculum 5-16: A Consultation Document" that became law in 1988. Outlines the document's content and argues that the document offers solutions to various problems without demonstrating how the solutions address the problems. Raises some issues about the ownership and control of educational institutions. (GG)

Considers stages of development of technology in schools and teacher education programs; discusses the role of government in influencing the progress of technology in education based on experiences in the United Kingdom, including a national curriculum; and suggests that the political rationale for computers is based on economic and vocational…

British primary reform proposals are attempting to square current criticism of schools with a school-based teacher-training model. Development of the National Curriculum has exposed weaknesses in elementary teachers' subject and curricular knowledge. Teacher-education issues include balance among subject, curriculum, and pedagogical studies; the…

Discusses the purposes of assessment of outdoor education in the context of the British national curriculum. Describes objectives of outdoor education: teaching problem solving, awareness of effects of one's actions on others and the environment, and concern for the safety of self and others. Asserts that outdoor educators must help participants…

This article reviews the rise of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in Great Britain, exposes problems presented by the behavioral objectives model and its associated IEPs, introduces the process model as an alternative, and outlines the shift from a product approach to a holistic, process approach in curriculum planning. (Author/JDD)

Poland is in the midst of sweeping educational reform, including reform of inservice teacher education. The system is abandoning totalitarianism for democracy. Most Polish teachers are specialized in only one subject, and there are surpluses of teachers in some subjects, so inservice education is focusing on helping teachers change specialties.…

While reminiscing over wine and granola bars, some elementary teacher-survivors from the sixties pondered timeless teaching truths newly "discovered" by education reformers, including authentic assessment, cooperative learning, a national curriculum, and brain-compatible learning. Reformers are insensitive to realistic classroom contexts when…

Examples of an open-ended task, of the appropriate performance indicators for that task, and of the formal assessment table are each presented for both grades 7-8 and grades 9-10. The need for cooperative teacher input when drawing up lists of performance indicators to minimize postmarking moderation is discussed. (JJK)

Described is a method of recording student completion of National Curriculum Mathematics competencies. A computer program was developed to simplify the teachers task and shorten the time required to record results, thus freeing teachers time for working with children. (MDH)

The English education system is undergoing radical change initiated by central government. Extensive delegation of financial control to the school level has been paralleled by introduction of a national curriculum and open enrollment. This paper explains England's educational finance structure and the central government's interest in delegated…

Reviewed are the various purposes that discussion may serve for science education--for carrying out practical work, for interpreting results, and for understanding social issues. The importance of students contributing their own experiences to a discussion is discussed. (KR)

Principal themes associated with assessment and evaluation as these constructs or concepts have evolved in relation to special education in England and Wales are discussed, concentrating on developments since 1978. Shortcomings of the proposed National Curriculum with regard to special needs students are discussed. (SLD)

Introduction of national curriculum in 1988 has required British elementary teachers to teach and assess range of subjects with little specialist assistance and virtually no planning time during the school day. Compared to one New Hampshire school, English schools lack assistance for special needs students and have less extensive parental…

The idea of assessment driving the curriculum and the importance of assessing students constantly instead of using only standardized tests are discussed. Informal observations used by teachers as a way of assessing student progress is emphasized. The United Kingdom's National Curriculum assessment program are described. (KR)