In the ongoing effort to improve instructional standards in our nation's urban public schools, the Council of the Great City Schools has released resources to help districts determine the quality and alignment of instructional materials at each grade level; to ensure that materials for English language learners are rigorous and aligned to district…

With increasing numbers of students receiving gifted services every year, it is more important than ever to make certain we are meeting their unique learning needs in the classroom. Differentiated instruction for these learners must go beyond adjusting content levels, task complexity, or product choice--it must truly challenge and support learners…

This document is one of eight reports prepared to support the development of a new learning system, a development effort that is the first step in a major initiative undertaken by the Stupski Foundation. The Foundation endeavors to improve the life options of all students, especially underserved urban youth of color by fundamentally redesigning…

Presents some steps the superintendent can take to encourage academic excellence in his/her district. Provides guidelines to use in working with a curriculum committee. (IRT)

This paper examines an important component of the developing field of education in emergencies: curriculum decision-making processes. The paper argues that in order to fully meet the commitment articulated by the INEE Minimum Standards to provide quality education for all, curricula decisions cannot be ignored or postponed until after a crisis has…

A teacher of high school students with learning disabilities suggests that not enough is demanded of these students. He describes his classroom program, which focuses on the specific challenges students will face and the standards they will have to meet in the adult world of work. (DB)

This book is designed to help educators move from a system that measures students against students to one that values mastery of central concepts and skills, striving for proficiency in publicly acknowledged standards of academic performance. It aims to connect the operative parts of standards-based education (standards, assessment, curriculum,…

The reason for creating this resource was to produce a booklet that was concise and reflected the character and uniqueness of Vermont schools and, at the same time, reflect the ongoing nature of the curriculum improvement process. This document was intended for schools and districts in all phases of curriculum improvement, from creation through…

MathFINDER brings over 1,100 lessons from 30 of the best mathematics curricula and is designed to implement all National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards in seconds using the most complete database of lessons linked to the Standards. The user can match lessons with Standards instantly, print them out, and use them immediately in…

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…

This paper presents the position of the Organization of History Teachers (OHT) regarding the development of national history standards by the National Standards Project. The OHT position suggests that the Project should recognize that standards aiming for excellence in precollege history teaching require changes in the education of teachers, the…

This Guide is intended to share the insights of SEDL's National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning (the National Partnership) as well as information about both the academic and the organizational and management practices that successful afterschool programs use. The authors have organized these practices into the following four focus…

Transcript analysis can provide principals with extensive data to aid them in school improvement efforts. This article describes a study of 191 transcripts from five Central Illinois high schools. Variations in academic and nonacademic course-taking patterns emerged that had important implications for school administrators. (MLH)

This book describes two high school teachers' efforts to align curriculum, assessment, and performance standards, troubleshooting issues surrounding content standards, instructional objectives, and curricular aims. Eight chapters examine: (1) "What Does a Competent Classroom Look Like?"; (2) "What Drives a Course?" (e.g.,…

This document is the result of a two-year process to develop a complete music curriculum and standards guide for Maine schools. It is arranged in four parts or "strands." Strand 1 covers classroom music from kindergarten through grade 12. Strand 2 addresses the vocal music program, and strand 3 the instrumental program for the same…