This work examines ways central and regional education ministries can influence practices at the school level. Chapter 1, "Changing What Happens in Schools: Central-Level Initiatives to Improve School Practice," reviews common themes, concerns, problems, and emphases. Chapter 2, "Knowledge Utilization and the Process of Policy…

This volume is part of a series of 18 monographs on service learning and the academic disciplines. The essays in this volume focus on service-learning in a wide range of environmental studies. The Introduction, "Why is Service-Learning So Pervasive in Environmental Studies Programs?" was written by Harold Ward. The chapters in Part 1…

This document presents the full revised course descriptions for Florida exceptional student education in grades 6-8. Courses incorporate the Florida standards for a special diploma. Requirements include a list of related benchmarks from the state standards for each level of functioning: independent, supported, and participatory. Introductory…

The 12 chapters in this second title in the series expose and explore the following significant issues underlying schooling and its intersection with the adult world outside of school: aspects of knowledge, gender, literacy across culture, and assessing what is learned in school and in the adult world. The chapters are: "Whose Knowledge Gets…

A study documented factors associated with the operation of vocational education and training (VET) in small rural schools and their communities. Case studies of 14 schools with high-quality VET practices identified important facilitators of course development: formal commitment to the VET programs within the school's objectives; role of…

This paper reports on a project to develop and implement an interdisciplinary, thematic high school curriculum combining instruction in Spanish language and four arts disciplines. Additional targeted skills included: accessing and using new information effectively; thinking critically about art; development of global responsibility and…

This study is grounded in a reform calculus movement funded by grants from the National Science Foundation to find ways to improve student learning in mathematics, specifically in calculus. The study examines reasons why faculty accept or reject reform calculus teaching techniques, and what they consider to be the challenges and outcomes of these…

This progress report delineates processes and procedures in assessing changes in teacher attitudes and behaviors as they utilize the Internet for the first time in curriculum development and delivery. The setting is a north Texas rural district serving 1,320 students. The sample included 66 teachers in the middle school and high school.…

The tech prep work-based learning program for child care management occupations at Carlyle (Illinois) High School had nine goals: (1) market the program to students, parents, employers, and the community; (2) increase the number of students enrolled in Tech Prep Youth Apprenticeship (TPYA); (3) increase the number of employers providing work-based…

Over half of Finnish elementary schools are small schools employing 1-3 teachers. This paper examines the implementation of new national curriculum policies in two small elementary schools. The new policies, adopted in 1994, stress autonomous control of learning and encourage each individual school, in collaboration with the community, to draw up…

Among the outstanding trends in teacher training during the biennium 1926-1928 may be noted by some tendencies which have been growing cumulatively in force. This document discusses: (1) The definition and scope of teacher training; (2) Increased professionalization of teaching and of teacher training; (3) Growth in the number of teachers…

Concern over student opinion questionnaires expressing widespread dissatisfaction with the basic science curriculum of the University of Texas Medical Branch prompted efforts to improve the curriculum. With the help of the University's Office of Research in Medical Education, improvements were made that increased student satisfaction and improved…

Maintains that the debate over the social studies curriculum has been heavily influenced by a small group of conservative foundations, academics, and the federal government. These groups work toward creating an ideological consensus that promotes a national identity and strives to preserve European American dominant culture. (MJP)

A variety of options for integrating service learning into the college curriculum is outlined, including: fourth credit option; introductory service learning courses; courses linking service and leadership; optional or required course component; significant course requirement; core curriculum component; graduation requirement; disciplinary…

Describes a unit on North American colonization taught in an eighth-grade history class. Profiles the students' knowledge of colonial history before and after the class through in-depth interviews. Discusses current reform movements in social studies instruction and how they relate to this unit. (MJP)