Four characteristics of curriculum theory are proposed: (1) Curriculum theory focuses on content, aims, and program development in education; (2) Curriculum theory rationalizes procedures for curriculum construction; (3) Curriculum theory conceptualizes curricular phenomena; and (4) Curriculum theory attempts to explain curricular phenomena. (JN)

A university professor and two elementary principals met to discuss their lives and development as principals, focusing on the role of curriculum theory. The article discusses principals as leaders and learners, the teacher as curriculum, inquiry, reflection, and the theory practice relationship. (SM)

School improvement involves more than just fitting different packages into existing structures. Though education should empower students to become skilled and vital, it often encourages obedience and conformity. There is a bureaucratization that distorts teaching and learning. Theory and cooperative planning are both crucial to educational…

The role of the arts in general education as a possible remedy to the current problems in the public schools is explored. (DF)

Describes how global education has been used in Jordan to reform the school curriculum and develop teacher expertise. The article examines learning activities introduced to the school curriculum through the vehicle of global education and analyzes how global education has stimulated teacher change and promoted the pedagogical development of…

The article examines problems in the U.S. public school system. It describes the factory and corporate models of education and suggests that, despite the conservative origins of the current wave of school reform, progress is possible. The article also discusses sociocultural factors and the importance of theory in school reform. (SM)

Examines what kinds of alternative postsecondary education will be available in the next century to students who are accustomed to alternative schooling. Reviews the history of undergraduate educational reform and notes the momentum for change in college and university education. Similarities with current school reform are discussed. (SM)

Dilemmas and tensions regarding curriculum decision making in teacher education are examined. A proposed way to treat curriculum decision making in light of the Holmes Group's recommendations for educational reform is discussed, suggesting adoption of a set of guiding conceptions about teaching-related phenomena. (SM)

Civic education reformers identify a need for integrating visions of education and citizenship. This article identifies and analyzes the prescriptions of four distinct groups of civic educational reformers: civic imperials, civic spiritualists, civic intellectuals, and civic communitarians. (IAH)

Develops the thesis of the interrelationships of conceptions of adolescents with curricula and school organization by examining the Carnegie Council (1989) reform report on middle schools, "Turning Points: Preparing American Youth for the 21st Century." The article discusses economic and social contexts of the report, historical…

Success in bringing a global perspective to undergraduate teacher education involves the commitment of faculty members to the cause. All faculty members should reassess their courses and seek ways to revamp curriculum along global lines. The article looks at incremental change, faculty commitment, rewards for participation, and visibility. (SM)

Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans have had different geographical and cultural experiences. Problems specific to each group, and educational strategies to solve them, are presented to promote cultural pluralism in the schools. (JN)

Discusses contemporary curriculum discourse, reflecting on the split between (1) academic curricularists whose work focuses on school practice and those whose work does not and (2) those who believe curriculum reform is possible without social reconstruction and those who do not. The role of corporate discourse is examined. (SM)

Investigates whether society-technology-science (STS) can become a new program within current educational structures. The article discusses the climate for educational change: establishing a national imperative, renewing the civic mission of schools, and transforming instructional leadership. (SM)

Discusses what is typically meant by systemic reform, describes a study of five science reform efforts, then examines the cautions about systemic reform that arise from the study of the reform efforts. The paper ends by discussing alternative ideas about state level efforts to reform science teaching and learning. (SM)