This article is the third of three on "Sources of Authority in Education." All use the work of Amy Gutmann as a heuristic device to describe and explain the prevalence of market-based models of education reform in the US and the business-influenced Global Education Reform Movement. The other two are "Negating Amy Gutmann:…

Policy statements of the last two decades have directed schools to enter into partnerships with parents to enhance the social, emotional, and academic growth of their children. However, in practice and scholarship, parental involvement has been constructed as attendance to school-based activities and needs. This article draws on data from an…

Parental involvement in education has long been recognized as an important indicator of student academic achievement. Teachers, administrators, policy makers, and our state and federal government continue to recognize the vital role of the parent in education. Policies and mandates, with titles such as "No Child Left Behind" and…

Instructional time for social studies in elementary classrooms has decreased since the passage of Goals 2000 and No Child Left Behind, with content contracted to align with reading goals. Consequently, opportunities for preservice teachers to observe and teach social studies lessons have diminished. This qualitative multiple case study examines…

Congress's role in defining and promoting equality of educational opportunity has evolved over the past 55 years since "Brown v. Board of Education." Most recently, all three branches of the federal government have focused more on equality of educational opportunity for "individual" students rather than for protected classes.…

Discusses the importance of parent and family involvement in education, as outlined by the Goals 2000: Educate America Act of 1994, which introduced a new national education objective calling for increased family and parent participation. Examines techniques and initiatives used by teachers and schools to foster parent and family involvement. (MDM)

Goals 2000 was developed in the face of a barrage of criticism of the public schools by people with the best of intentions and with great hopes for the future of American education. The effects of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act cannot match its supporters' intentions and its implementation threatens to escalate conflict over schooling. Goals…

Describes the vital role of school boards in helping Catholic schools meet the eight goals of the national Goals 2000 improvement program. Reviews efforts related to the goals for school readiness, graduation rates, academic competency, professional development, math and science instruction, adult literacy, disciplined environment, and parent…

This booklet is designed to help educators plan and implement language and literacy programs and related professional development opportunities for elementary school educators. A primary focus of the document is on the tensions that exist between recent local, state, and national initiatives to improve the quality of schooling and current…

Reviews the status of Goals 2000, and how proposed funding cuts may affect reform efforts. Pleads for arts educators to remind themselves and the public of what their work and education reform are about. (PA)

Discusses what schools, caregivers/teachers, parents, and communities can do to ensure/enhance children's learning and school readiness in accordance with the theoretical framework and eventual implementation of the 1990 National Education Goal 1. (BB)

Understanding the education agendas being promoted by state and federal politicians is critical in comprehending the factors affecting rural education. Equally important is developing an effective rural school improvement strategy that is viewed favorably by policymakers. Five areas represent the focal points of state and federal education…

Argues that the 1983 publication of "A Nation at Risk" catapulted the issue of educational reform into the public sphere, fueling educational reform policy, corporate involvement, gubernatorial attention, and legislative action, culminating in the passage of "Goals 2000." Offers a critical review of the scholarly literature…

Examines the testing culture and the assessment culture in the context of calls for large-scale, national tests and from an anthropological model. Depicts the roles, rules, and rituals of each culture. Suggests that the cultural roles, rules, and rituals for the 21st century demand a culture of assessment rather than a culture of testing. (RS)

Claims that rigorous standards in schools will help children in navigating in the changing economy. Explains that Goals 2000 legislation, passed in 1994, can energize and expand local efforts to strengthen schools and reach high standards. Claims that teachers are the heart of educational improvement, while parents and business partners can…