Independent schools--and their teachers and administrators--are, as the name suggests, fiercely independent. So when the Common Core State Standards hit the national stage in March 2010 and became the center of the national conversation on education, it was no surprise that the majority of independent schools dismissed the standards as another…

Math in Common® (MiC) is a five-year initiative that supports a formal network of 10 California school districts as they implement the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics (CCSS-M) across grades K-8. In spring 2015, WestEd administered surveys to understand the perspectives on Common Core State Standards-Mathematics (CCSS-M) implementation…

In order to improve the quality of technology instruction, the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Business Department in the Spokane Public School district has aligned its Computer Applications (CA) course to the district's ninth-grade Springboard (Language Arts) curriculum, Algebra I curriculum, and the Culminating Project (senior project)…

Many students are capable of reading a chapter, doing the end-of-chapter questions, studying a little bit, and passing the chapter test. Many teachers are in the habit of using a textbook as a crutch to fall back on when creativity is lacking. Others are capable of teaching incredibly creative lessons based on state standards but are bound by the…

The Educational Policy Improvement Center (EPIC), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, seeks to help policy makers and policy implementers alike do a better job of using educational policy as a tool to improve schooling and student learning. EPIC works with federal agencies, state education departments, non-governmental organizations, private…

The purpose of this report is to provide descriptive information about educational technology practices related to the core objectives of the U.S. Department of Education's Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program. The EETT program is part of the "No Child Left Behind Act of 2001" ("NCLB") and, like other elements…

The Outstanding Schools Act (1993) called upon Missouri's educational community to strengthen expectations and opportunities for students served by Missouri public schools to ensure that graduates of Missouri's public schools have the knowledge, skills, and competencies essential to lead productive, fulfilling, and successful lives. Four major…

Describes a plan to restructure and reform Minnesota's kindergarten through 12th-grade education system in an effort to ensure that students are adequately prepared for the future. Discusses student performance, the limits of K-12 education, core competencies, problem-solving skills, and students' responsibility for their own education. (CT)

This report provides analysis and preliminary recommendations on a mandate that requires and contributes to the development of physical education components in Illinois public schools. The report is presented in sections dealing with: (1) five areas of analysis and sources of information; (2) legal requirements and statutory authority for…

In 1980, the Oklahoma legislature passed House Bill 1706, which focused upon four major concepts: (1) strengthening screening requirements for admission; (2) testing teachers in their curriculum field; (3) development of an entry-year assistance program for beginning teachers; and (4) staff development programs in all school districts. The Central…

Describes the Action Plan to Improve Elementary and Secondary Education Results in New York. Discusses new state standards and expectations; coordinated program for grades seven-12; modular curriculum; accountability system; new courses in technology education, home and career skills, and introduction to occupations; and graduation requirements.…

Examines eight factors affecting change in the California social studies curriculum. Considers Limited-English-Proficient students, uninterested students, teacher standards, teacher recruitment, support of teachers, the 1988 History-Social Science Framework, textbook adoption, and the California Assessment Program. Argues that a proactive…

Connecticut's Adult Performance Program (CAPP), which was initiated in 1986, is a mix of policies, training, and technical assistance activities based on the following elements: specification of expected competency-based program outcomes; development of an assessment and instructional model to facilitate achievement of the program outcomes;…

In response to recent criticism of education in the United States and the need to provide society a more efficiently trained work force, the state of Georgia has recently instituted guaranteed postsecondary vocational-technical training. This program assures employers that when hiring a trained graduate from one of the 32 technical institutions in…

This paper discusses the perceived effects of nationally posited and state-mandated reforms in teacher education upon vocational teacher education and charts some future direction for vocational teacher education within this overall context of educational reform. The paper discusses the salient features of reform in teacher education as mandated…