Education reform efforts across the United States are dramatically raising expectations for student achievement. However, the Consortium for Policy Research in Education (CPRE) found that teachers have not been adequately prepared for the changes in practice needed to meet new student learning goals. This publication briefly examines research…

"New Things Considered" reports on emerging trends and issues in education to policymakers and participants in SEDL-SCAN, an emerging issues tracking system being pilot tested by the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory's Policy Information Service and the State of New Mexico. This issue presents brief summaries of the thinking…

Experts in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) from 11 countries participated in a UNESCO International Workshop. The countries were: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, India, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Poland, Republic of Korea, and South Africa. Workshop participants identified a range of issues relating to improving the…

The strong relationship between knowledge of vocabulary and reading achievement leads to the conclusion that knowing the meaning of words in a passage enables the reader to answer questions about the passage. The goal of vocabulary instruction is the acquisition of the concepts represented by words as well as the ability to recognize and analyze…

This report focuses on supporting professional development and presents research and its implications for mathematics and science reform to policymakers, educators, and researchers seeking to improve student learning and achievement. Topics include actions for administrators, new directions in instruction and professional development, the value of…

This theme issue on gifted high school students presents several feature articles, a California legislative update, and an editorial. In "Summer Seminar '93--California in the 21st Century," Janis Van Dreal describes a 2-week residential program in which gifted high school students examined California's future. "Visiting a Gifted…

The impact and effectiveness of various faculty development programs is the focus of this report from the Association of American Colleges. Twenty faculty development programs around the country are examined. Faculty development is defined in this study as all activities designed to improve the performance of faculty as teachers, scholars,…

This theme issue of a Texas journal on gifted education contains articles focusing on math and science instruction for gifted students. "Science Education for Gifted Students" (Joyce VanTassel-Baska) discusses what a science curriculum for gifted students should include, what teachers can do to make reform efforts successful, and how to…

This theme issue discusses the special needs of gifted students at the middle school level. It presents several articles, editorials, a California funding update, a program spotlight, an educator profile, a column on educational technology, and a book review. An article by Terry A. Thomas, titled "Middle School Madness," discusses middle schools'…

The evidence from research using expectancy theory is synthesized to develop a contingency model of incentives for involving teachers in professional development. Research findings that focused on the administrative challenge of motivating teachers to engage in curriculum development tasks are used to test the model. (MLF)

Authentic performance assessments--when used simultaneously with matching curricular practices--are a promising development for practitioners and students alike. A major benefit for practitioners appears to be the opportunity to redefine the curriculum and guide instruction. Benefits for students include the opportunity to engage in authentic work…

Documenting the processes and procedures, this report reviews phases of development, testing, and revision of 100 modules in a set of performance-based teacher education (PBTE) curricular materials. The first of two chapters discusses the need to develop a professional development program for vocational education teachers. A two-phase process is…

Noting that in order to introduce and maintain writing across the curriculum programs in the schools English teachers must unite with colleagues to stress learning of all kinds, and that recommendations for the use of writing in content areas do not frighten away students who are apprehensive about writing, the articles in this focused journal…

This special double issue of the "Early Childhood Bulletin" explores issues for parents who are members of Interagency Coordinating Councils (ICCs) for their states' early intervention programs. The first article discusses issues parents may want to consider before they assume new roles in their ICC and in related activities. It also…

This paper explores the course-planning activities of faculty teaching introductory undergraduate courses, in order to assess influences on the process of curriculum revision. The findings of a survey of 2,311 faculty members in 97 institutions of higher education are previewed here, prior to publication. The study found that faculty from…