We suggest that special education could die among common myths about it. That is, special education could cease to exist, at least as we know it, because its true nature and requirements for its functioning are misunderstood. We discuss only 12 common myths about special education, recognizing that there are many more myths and that the ones we…

One of the most commonly cited reasons students choose to study abroad is to experience a new culture. However, most students and, perhaps, most people do not fully recognize what culture is and the span of its influences. The pervasiveness and seeming incomprehensiveness of cultural differences often surprise and unsettle the traveler, and his or…

More young people are entering the teaching profession. These Millennials, meaning those born in 1978 or later, have different expectations than the older teachers they are replacing. This article explores some of these differences and suggests methods to help integrate Millennials smoothly into the teaching force. Reprinted with permission from…

Today, teachers are facing a new generation of students known as the Millennials, or the digital generation. They have grown up with the Internet, cell phones, and multiple methods of electronic communication; however, they learned in traditional classrooms where they were required to disconnect. Faculty members generally fall into the Baby Boomer…

Students enter classrooms with different abilities, learning styles, and personalities. Educators are mandated to see that all students meet the standards of our district and state. Through the use of differentiated instruction strategies, educators can meet the needs of all students and help them to meet and exceed the established standards. In…

Noted educator Carol Ann Tomlinson shares the insights that shaped her thinking about informative assessment. Informative assessment goes beyond tests and the grade book. It means assessing students both formally and informally in multiple ways and giving frequent, productive feedback on student work. Informative assessment isn't separate from…

Over the last three decades there has been a major shift in how practicing educators think about intelligence. One great driving force of this change can be attributed to "Frames of Mind: Theory of Multiple Intelligences," written by Howard Gardner in 1983. Gardner's book is conceived around the premise that every human being maintains seven (now…

Discusses how high and low expectations are communicated to British students both directly by what teachers say and indirectly through the systems and processes through which teachers work. Examines racial and social biases and notes that expectations can be self-fulfilling prophesies. Asserts that mental pictures and models of Britain need to be…

Presents a student's reaction to having American teachers at her Slovakian university. Discusses students' learning styles and expectations, which are quite different from what most American teachers are used to. (RS)

Maintains that much of the high school curriculum, particularly in social studies, contains innumerable facts that have no use except to pass school tests. Reviews research on effective instruction as applied to social studies. Includes 17 characteristics of highly engaging social studies teaching and learning. (ACM)

This paper explains that women teachers working in public schools across Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia face many challenges related to poverty and rural locations. However, they also have several elements in common across their classrooms which they incorporate into their instructional practice. These elements are: maintaining high…

Discusses problems related to urban education and suggests ways that classrooms may be restructured. Concludes that educators must draw on both environmental factors such as the home and the classroom social group, and academic and organizational alliances in order to effect meaningful change in urban schools. (MW)

This brief document offers ten principles of effective school design. They are: (1) Clear Focus and High Expectations for staff and students are defining features of an effective school; (2) A Rigorous Instructional Program provides equitable opportunities to learn and enables every student to master challenging content, skills, and learning…