We examine the distinction between teaching and teachers as it relates to instructional improvement. Drawing from work outside of education on improvement systems and from analyzing the Japanese system of lesson study, we contend that a focus on teaching can shape a coordinated system for improvement whereas a focus on teachers, common in the…

Siedentop and Locke (1997) proposed three critical elements that must exist in our profession to make a difference and achieve systemic success in physical education (SSPE): (a) quality PE in the schools, (b) effective physical education teacher education (PETE)programs, and (c) a working relationship between the two. Using Cuban's (1992)…

Adopts the dramatic form of a modern morality play to examine the confrontation of humanistic curriculum values and educational accountability. (WM)

Examines how systems thinking, simulation, and modeling affect secondary school teachers' classroom processes. Highlights include a two-dimensional matrix to show patterns of adaptation, teacher proficiency with technology, curriculum development, time constraints, teacher training, expertise, accountability, administrative issues, and the…

This paper uses systems theory and force field analysis to evaluate the potential for combining special education with America 2000 national educational strategy and goals. A brief history of educational reform attempts is followed by an explanation of systems theory and the school as a social system. Force field analysis is used as a tool for…

This booklet is designed primarily as an instructional manual for staff inservice training in fulfilling professional obligations for accountability. Important factors in bringing about accountability are people and systems--people assess the need, consent to meet the need, and contract to be responsible for specific standards of performance. The…

The discussion guide is a compilation of questions and background information, directed to educational planners and related to three major areas of concern: Education for Citizenship, Education to Make a Life, and Education to Make a Living. Education for Citizenship presents a list of general questions of a philosophical nature, followed by…

This reference handbook is intended to assist individuals responsible for developing and implementing cooperative occupational education and work experience programs at the secondary, postsecondary, and adult levels. The following topics are covered: the strategy of aims and goal inputs (the scope of instructional programs using the work…

This document presents and examines Iowa's adult basic education (ABE) program benchmarks, which have been designed as criteria for evaluating the following aspects of the performance of ABE programs in Iowa's community colleges: educational gains; program planning; curriculum/instruction; staff development; support services; and…

The 1998 Workforce Investment Act (WIA) consolidates more than 70 programs and gives states the flexibility to partner with local governments to develop streamlined services providing universal access. Because adult education and postsecondary vocational education are required partners in the one-stop systems being established through Title I of…

Issues in developing the institutional structures to deliver cross-sectoral education and training were examined in a study of five Australian single-sector higher education institutions with various institutional arrangements with the vocational education and training (VET) sector and five dual-sector universities. Data were collected from the…

Australia's national vocational education and training (VET) system and nationally funded technical and further education colleges were established in the 1970s. In the 1980s, traineeships complementing traditional apprenticeships and competency-based training were instituted. An industry-led training system was established in the 1990s. Total VET…