Providing clear guidance to teachers is not a straightforward task for school systems: Teachers get information about what to teach and how to teach from many sources, some of which are beyond the control of school systems. When teachers get different, even conflicting, messages about what and how to teach from various sources, they likely…

Students' access to smartphones continues to grow. Use of tablets and e-readers continues to grow in the classroom. Whenever a large purchase of mobile devices is made for education, the very next question asked is, "Now what?" It is the planning for and using of the devices as part of an overall approach to the curriculum, locally, that…

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) challenges state education agencies (SEAs) to improve student outcomes by addressing the student-, teacher-, and school-level factors that drive achievement gains. This Guide for Identifying Evidence-Based Interventions for School Improvement is intended to help State Education Agencies (SEAs) carefully…

This report presents the plan for the Technology Integrated Educational Delivery System (TIEDS), which was developed for the Arizona State Department of Education in response to the "State Board Policy on the Development of a Plan for Technology" and the "GAITS Report," to establish the conceptual framework for educational…

Research on educational standards and school discipline shows that curriculum reform may also improve discipline by engaging students in a challenging environment. The widespread decline in high school standards seems to have come from diluting both the high school and college liberal arts curricula of the past, with students abandoning careers in…

Research for Better Schools studied regional educational service agencies (RESA's) to learn how they contribute to school improvement activities. This report outlines the variety of training and assistance services that RESA's provide to local school districts. Identifying two important conditions in the delivery of these services--trust and the…

This publication is one in a series of 12 giving the recommendations that were made for a broad and balanced education program in science for young people. Section one of this guide deals with the factors that were the reason for the implementation of a review process, a listing of financial sponsors and other "in kind" help from…

This annual report focuses on the activities of the Office of Instructional Technology in the South Carolina Department of Education. This office is responsible for the development, acquisition, scheduling, and utilization of television and radio resources for grades K-12, staff development, and adult education, which are broadcast over the South…

The education reform movement has inspired an impressive array of school improvement programs. This article categorizes these intitiatives, summarizes policy directions, explores recent state curriculum guidelines and Northwest trends, and discusses implementation challenges. According to an Education Commission of the States study, most…

During 1987 the ERIC Clearinghouse for Science, Mathematics, and Environmental Education (ERIC/SMEAC) conducted a survey of the state education agencies, asking respondents to summarize their perceptions as to how schools include environmental topics in their curricula by responding to a questionnaire. Also requested was information concerning…

In response to the National Commission on Excellence in Education Report, the McHenry Community High School District in Illinois analyzed its current high school programs. The analysis is presented under five areas: (1) instructional programs; (2) student services; (3) district planning, facility, and fiscal programs; (4) athletic and cocurricular…

Curriculum touches all members of a school's community. It is not surprising that something of great importance is influenced by many groups. At this crutial time, school boards should define their role in curriculum and encourage positive change based on sound decisions regarding what knowledge, skills, competencies, attitudes, and values…

Discusses curriculum changes needed in elementary and secondary schools in response to broader social change involved in the information revolution. Highlights include the role of federal, state, and local agencies, private industry initiatives, the role of technology, and the importance of problem solving skills. Twenty-five references are…

This paper discusses the role of state education agencies in curriculum reform, in light of contrasting perspectives on the future of society. Current reform proposals call for more required courses and better performance by students, but such moves need to be made with a clear sense of direction. Accordingly, the problem becomes twofold: first,…

In December 1991, the first of a series of Secretary's Conferences on Improving Mathematics and Science Education was held in Washington, D.C., to discuss methods of attaining the fourth National Education Goal of being the world leader in mathematics and science education by the year 2000 as set by President Bush and the nation's governors. More…