Discusses the trend toward centralized decision making in schools brought about by state legislatures specifying curricular details. In the process, authority is shifted upwards to state level, and professionals become demoralized about changing or improving their schools' curricula. Citing Texas legislation and 11 other references, this paper…

The objectives of excellence and equity in minority teacher education are discussed in terms of recent social realignment. It is argued that, because most institutionalized discrimination has been eliminated, perpetuation of multiple sets of requirements for teacher candidates is not needed. (MT)

Maintains that open door admissions and educational quality are not in conflict but rather both desirable and possible. Examines ways a community college can support quality in an open door admissions environment, stressing institutional commitment to reasonable achievement standards. (DMM)

The Oregon State University/Western Oregon State College School of Education has introduced a "warranty" for its graduates' performance. Concurrent improvements in the existing program include more rigorous admission screening and student evaluation, expanded field experiences and academic requirements, and partnerships with other…

Author looks at the controversy over school-leaving examinations in America. (Editor/RK)

Argues that the pursuit of high standards in spelling is wasteful, irrelevant and damaging. (Editor)

State accountability goals for high schools must give equal emphasis to raising standards and increasing the percentages of students entering grade nine and earning high school diplomas four years later. High school completion rates between 1988 and 2000 declined in all but eight states. Many high schools in states with declining graduation rates…

This publication contains Arizona public schools' academic standards for grade 3. The contents of this document include the following: (1) The Arts Standards, 1997--Foundations (Grades 1-3); (2) Comprehensive Health Standards, 1997--Foundations (Grades 1-3); (3) Foreign and Native Language Standards, 1997--Foundations (Grades 1-3); (4) Reading…

At the core of standards-based reform are content standards?statements about what students should know and be able to do. Although it is state standards that are the focus of much public attention and consume substantial resources, many local school districts have developed their own content standards in the major subject areas. However, we know…

The "No Child Left Behind" Act requires that states align K-12 assessments with their academic standards for what students should know and be able to do. Alignment is at the core of standards-based education. The theory is that student achievement will improve if all parts of the system pull in the same direction. Under such a system,…

Within a simple meeting framework, experienced teacher and presenter Donna Whyte shares hundreds of ideas she's used in her own classroom to: (1) meet state standards; (2) Keep kids focused and engaged; (3) Encourage every child to participate; and (4) Assess learning every day for every child. After an introduction, this book is divided into…

Since before the nation's birth, people have been told that only an educated person can let public debate arise. At stake is democracy's gamble that enough people have and can show that they have sufficient grasp of public issues to liberate those leaders who would speak the truth and deter others from feeding the people minimum information. What,…

A study provides an organized list of core English language arts standards and benchmarks that are recognized by most or all of the states in the Central Region (Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming) and that are found in standards documents that have been rated as exemplary by national organizations. In…

This report is the fourth research synthesis that Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL), the Regional Educational Laboratory for the Central Region states, has conducted in its laboratory leadership area of standards-based educational practice. The goals for the current research synthesis are: (1) To identify a comprehensive…

This document presents the institutional outcomes for 2002-2003 for William Rainey Harper College. The document begins with the Presidents Introduction, which includes a list of accomplishments of the college. Some of these success are: (1) 90% retention rates for students involved in retention services and programs; (2) achieving a hiring…