This article addresses specific issues within arts-integration experiences in schools. Focusing on the relationship between positive emotions, learning, and the Arts, the article discusses empirical data that has been drawn from a research study, Making the Ordinary Extraordinary: Adopting Artfulness in Danish Schools. When schools integrate the…

This fascinating and inventive book surveys the UDL research field in comprehensive detail while pointing in--imaginative and necessary ways--to crucial research undertakings yet to come. In recent years there has been heightened interest in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), particularly within the worlds of education policy and practice. As a…

Solutions to educating special needs students are not found in exclusionary programs or curriculum categorizations but in the inclusion of all students and in providing the necessary support for them and their teachers. Meanwhile, special education "turf" issues must be resolved, and public apprehensions about mainstreaming as a cost-cutting…

The use of reform-based curricula is one possible avenue for the widespread implementation of mathematics education reform. In this article, we present two urban elementary teachers' "models of curriculum use" that describe how each teacher used a reform-oriented mathematics curriculum. In particular, we examine when and how the teachers made…

Traces the development of outcome-based education and mastery learning, highlighting the work of Ralph W. Tyler and Benjamin S. Bloom. OBE is principally a goal-driven curriculum reform model with definite implications for assessing student learning. Mastery learning is primarily an instructional process to help teachers enhance their teaching…

Explores the ethical issues involved in using standardized tests to implement a state-level policy. Examines the fourth grade science program evaluation test administered in New York State for the first time in 1989. A utilitarian view of ethics ignores the consequences of testing for different constituents, obviates caring behavior, and damages…

Community attitudes can profoundly reinforce or virtually neutralize the work of teachers and school administrators. Young people's motivation for learning will be weakened if high standards are not valued by classmates, parents, and the community. The community is obligated to provide comfortable school buildings, provide the best teachers…

The use of alternative instructional strategies and resources to meet the learning needs of individual students incorporates the diagnosis of student learning progress, the teaching of self-management skills, organizational supports, and family involvement into an effective educational program. (JN)

The Coursework Cluster Analysis Model, a new analytical technique linking college curriculum to student achievement gains, can be used to identify effective general education course sequences for different student ability levels. This can help overcome the fragmentation associated with general education and enhance undergraduate study for a…

Examines questions arising from concern for Africentric and multicultural education, including the nature of diversity and the relationships among cultural hegemony, cultural diversity, and cultural pluralism. Changing conceptions of intelligence, knowledge, and education are considered in relation to the treatment of cultural and ethnic…

Creation of a college classroom environment that is genuinely culturally inclusive requires leadership of faculty willing to make major changes in an entrenched, traditional academic culture, including a teaching approach combining personal caring with high expectations, incorporation of new knowledge into the curriculum, and authentic response to…

Assessing students' knowledge has always been a difficult task, especially in today's climate of standards driven curriculum. Challenges to educators include meeting content standards, assessing students' progress and focusing on diverse learning styles, as well as preparing students for work and life beyond schools. To meet these challenges,…

In establishing high quality programs for young children, it is imperative that teachers focus on individual differences, growth patterns, and learning styles while providing educational experiences that develop the physical, social, emotional and cognitive domains without regard to chronological age. Research affirms that a play-oriented approach…

Examines current theory and research about educating teachers concerning diversity, cultural pluralism, and equity. Explores how teacher educators attempt to transfer multicultural skills, beliefs, and knowledge in ways that help every child learn. Every teacher needs to incorporate cultural diversity to acknowledge the different needs and goals…

This book examines the effects of tracking on public education, makes a case for "untracking" as a key education reform, and describes successful untracking efforts. Tracking is an educational practice that groups children of similar abilities and achievement levels together into homogeneous groups. "Untracking" is the process…