The author suggests that it is a myth of gifted education that a school must identify a certain percentage of students as gifted, which forces an adjustment in criteria and definition until just the right number of students have been identified. (CL)

This journal issue focuses on problems caused by vitamin A deficiency and its effects on vision. Although these conditions are quite serious and widespread in some areas of the world, they can easily be treated by inexpensive means. The report begins with a discussion of xerophthalmia, the most frequent cause of blindness in preschool-age children…

The importance of applying multiple selection criteria from the beginning in the identification of gifted students is stressed. Approaches which use achievement and intelligence tests as a primary screening criteria before applying multiple criteria are said to be only skin deep. (CL)

This special issue deals with the preparation of professional evaluators. Evaluation is considered as a profession that warrants specialized training. Aspects of necessary training and descriptions of current programs are discussed. (SLD)

Because organizational effectiveness of schools is difficult to define, a model is needed to explain the complexities of the concept. Two models offer some promise. One is the goal model, which defines effectiveness as the degree to which organizations meet or surpass their goals (either official or operational). The other is the system resource…

In 1995, the Council for Basic Education initiated the Standards for Excellence in Education (SEE) project, a multiyear effort to provide parents, educators, and the general public with better means to use standards to improve public education. This issue of "Perspective" tries to provide a coherent way to think about issues and…

Using the experiences of individual school districts, such as the Yonkers (New York) Public Schools, the author provides advice on how a board should carry out a reduction in force (RIF). She stresses the need to develop a written RIF policy and recommends involving staff and the community in the policy development process. Issues the policy…

Portfolios can demonstrate student mastery of material and their work with concepts and content, as well as their ability to link material with other knowledge. Portfolios can closely relate what students learn to what teachers believe they teach. The decision to use portfolios requires planning, professional development, decision making, and a…

This report presents general criteria for authentic pedagogy, instructional activities rooted in a primary concern for high standards of intellectual quality, as well as more specific standards that can be used to judge the quality of assessment tasks, classroom lessons, and student performance. Examples are given of tasks, lessons, and student…

The Fordham Foundation commissioned experts in each of the five core academic subjects (English, history, geography, mathematics, and science) to develop criteria for excellence and apply them to as many state standards as could be obtained. This summary report compiles the numerical scores and letter grades that each state earned in every…

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is working to increase the numbers of students with disabilities (SD) or limited English proficient (LEP) students who are included in the assessment. Information is presented on the changes made to the inclusion criteria, the types of accommodations being offered, new procedures implemented…