The current focus on school leader preparation reflects the importance societies around the world are placing upon the goal of improving their educational systems. The investment of substantial new resources into leadership preparation and development activities is based upon "the belief that school leaders make a difference" in both the…

This document is the first of a two-part series designed to help teachers, schools, and districts to implement standards-based instruction. Part 1, The Foundation for Improvement, explains why standards-based instruction improves teaching and learning. Part 2, First Steps to a Standards-Based Classroom, describes how to adapt the curriculum to…

Presents and analyzes the first year's results of a longitudinal study designed to measure teachers' and principals' stages of concern regarding implementation of a potentially controversial innovation--benchmark testing. Results indicate that the responding 241 teachers and 52 principals were positively disposed and interested in making the…

Points out the need for improving the nation's higher education curricula. Offers reasons for supporting a core curriculum and describes difficulties in developing such a program. Provides a summary of the National Endowment for the Humanities' report "50 Hours: A Core Curriculum for College Students." (KO)

The role of music education in the curriculum and the specific skills that should be developed by students at particular grade levels, as articulated by the state of Arizona, are described. It is stated that a comprehensive music program should afford students experiences in: performing/reading, creating/writing, listening/describing, and values.…

The Arizona Social Studies Framework formulates goals for student competency in four broad categories: knowledge and cultural understanding; understanding of democratic principles; individual and group participation in social political affairs; and fundamental skill attainment for effective citizenship. Under each social studies goal are listed…

One of a series of implementation documents prepared in conjunction with the revised minimum standards adopted in 1983 by the Ohio State Board of Education, this document suggests ways to develop economic education programs in Ohio high schools and identifies issues certain to be encountered in developing such a program. Each of the five sections…

This publication defines and outlines the state of Oregon's common curriculum goals for art education, an area of study that addresses the components of art production, art heritage, aesthetics, and art criticism. An overall goal for each one of these four strands is established, and content specific knowledge and skills that students should…

Notes that criticism of the training offered by universities to future chemists is well documented. Suggests a 17-step model for the planning of a chemistry course that utilizes a competency-based training program. Explains each step and lists sample objectives. (MVL)

Oregon's common curriculum goals for music education, an area of study that addresses the components of valuing music, developing music literacy, performing music, and creating music are presented. An overall goal for each one of these four strands is established, and then the content specific knowledge and skills that students should possess by…

Designed to help Wyoming school districts meet the needs of their students and communities, this manual outlines the essential elements of a well-planned, comprehensive social studies curriculum. The four components of the program, each described in a separate section, are essentials of education, fundamentals of an exemplary social studies…

This guide is intended for use by superintendents, district directors of instruction, curriculum writers, principals, and teachers identifying instructional television resources that will aid their schools in meeting specific instructional requirements of the Defined Minimum Program and objectives of the Basic Skills Assessment Program. Suggested…

The intent of this document is to provide local school districts with a guide to current knowledge in the visual arts, such that by using the guide, districts should be able to develop their own curriculum documents tailored to the needs of their students. The basic premise of the guide is that each student in the state of Arizona should have…

The Core Course Proficiency initiative in the State of New Jersey is an outgrowth of the recommendations from two study panels convened to review and revise high school graduation requirements and to consider the need for and impact of establishing a common core of knowledge and skills in specified high school courses. This document presents the…

Guidance for the development, assessment and/or improvement of science education programs in Michigan is provided in this handbook for teachers, administrators, and parents. It provides a philosophical foundation and curricular framework from which educators could construct comprehensive local science education programs. The nature of science is…