Seven concept papers are presented that focus on the changes needed in the mathematics curriculum, K-12, to make mathematics teaching in Oregon school districts more relevant to the mathematics used in today's technological society. Task forces developed the papers, which addressed the major issues of reform in the mathematics curriculum:…

This document outlines a K-6, total music, instructional program for the state of Oregon. Ten comprehensive strands (valuing music, developing music literacy, performing music, creating music, studying essential learning skills, using instruments in general music, using electronics in music, performing choral music, performing band music, and…

A framework for the revision of Oregon's curriculum goals is presented in this set of briefing papers. The papers offer information to help administrators and other educators understand curricular and instructional trends in each of the state's eight required subject areas: mathematics, science, English language arts, social studies, art, music,…

This position paper was written to assist teachers and administrators in Oregon in preparing curriculum and setting priorities for kindergarten programs. It begins by asserting that the focus of kindergarten instruction should be on the total development of the child: socioemotional, physical, and intellectual. The need for concrete learning…

The statewide (Oregon) survey of special education administrators, high school special education teachers, and parents of mildly disabled high school students investigated four areas of special education services: focus/content, discrepancies between availability and utilization, barriers to mainstreaming, and conditions required for improvement.…

This guide presents the common curriculm goals for health education developed by the Oregon State Department of Education. Four content strands--safe living, stressor/risk-taking management, physical fitness, and nutrition--are a synthesis of the traditional health education and health promotion objectives. Knowledge and skills objectives are…

This project was conducted to develop an apprentice-related training curriculum for cabinetmakers and millmen in Oregon. During the project, a task inventory for the occupation of cabinetmaker/millman was produced, the components of a complete four-year related training program were identified, a nationwide search for existing instructional…

A resource of statements about the values of music in education, this paper is intended to help answer the question, "Why is it important to teach general music to children in grades K-6?" Material is quoted from several disciplines including psychology, education, music education, and the medical field. The paper is directed primarily…

This publication defines and outlines the state of Oregon's common curriculum goals for art education, an area of study that addresses the components of art production, art heritage, aesthetics, and art criticism. An overall goal for each one of these four strands is established, and content specific knowledge and skills that students should…

This paper attempts to provide some guidance to school administrators, school boards, social studies teachers, and others about the key components of citizenship education and its relationship to social studies education. The paper defines citizenship education as the primary purpose of the social studies and provides three key characteristics of…

Oregon's common curriculum goals for music education, an area of study that addresses the components of valuing music, developing music literacy, performing music, and creating music are presented. An overall goal for each one of these four strands is established, and then the content specific knowledge and skills that students should possess by…

This document is the first of a two-part series designed to help teachers, schools, and districts to implement standards-based instruction. Part 1, The Foundation for Improvement, explains why standards-based instruction improves teaching and learning. Part 2, First Steps to a Standards-Based Classroom, describes how to adapt the curriculum to…

Two Oregon science education programs are described following an introduction that discusses underlying problems in science education and approaches taken by exemplary practices. Exemplary practices involve the process method of instruction, teacher training, utilization of science resources outside the school, and instruction that emphasizes the…

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…

This document is intended to help Oregon district-level curriculum planners, teachers, regional coordinators, and department of education staff plan programs to meet the entry-level needs of office support workers and to prepare students for a postsecondary learning experience. The instructional program is described in terms of goals, approval…