The "Alliance for Excellent Education" presents this Fact Sheet of answers to key questions raised surrounding implementation of the Common Core State Standards. Questions raised include: (1) What Are the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)?; (2) How Were the CCSS Developed?; (3) How Were the CCSS Adopted?; (4) What Changes in Instruction…

"Something in Common" is the first book to provide a detailed look at the groundbreaking Common Core State Standards and their potential to transform American education. This book tells the story of the unfolding political drama around the making of the Common Core State Standards for math and English language arts, which were adopted by…

BLOCK-TIME TEACHING INVOLVES INSTRUCTING A GROUP OF PUPILS FOR TWO OR MORE PERIODS A DAY IN TWO OR MORE SUBJECT AREAS. THIS ENABLES TEACHERS TO KNOW THEIR PUPILS BETTER. CERTAIN FACTORS, HOWEVER, ARE OBSTACLES TO ACHIEVING THE GOALS OF BLOCK-TIME TEACHING. THESE INCLUDE SUCH FACTORS AS SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS WHO ARE NONCOMMUNICATIVE OR WHOSE…

The debate over the nature and form of general education is discussed. The Project on General Education Models, which surveyed colleges and universities that had taken concrete steps to review or revise their general education programs, is described. Some new programs are outlined. (MLW)

Colleges and universities across the U.S. are making efforts in teacher education reform in order to better the training of instructors and therefore the education of children. In this article, the authors describe two aspects of interrelated changes in teacher education. They share various aspects of their journey--to redesign their teacher…

A comparative research project is being implemented to describe how curriculum guidelines are developed and applied in Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland, and to compare the underlying structures and strategies that influence and determine curriculum work and curriculum-making at different levels of decision making and enactment.…

Eight new approaches to collegiate general education are described. In an introductory overview article, "Toward the Reconstruction of General Education," Jerry Gaff, director of a project on general education models, provides specific suggestions for institutional renewal, such as the formation of a task force, composed of faculty,…

Reviews arguments surrounding the inclusion of computer literacy as part of core requirements for all undergraduates, considering the effect of the current postsecondary educational reform movement. Describes seven models for linking general education and computer science, and highlights American University's approach, which integrates computing…

Suggestions are presented on mainstreaming women's studies in the traditional curriculum. Directors of 17 curriculum projects involved in integrating materials on women into the college curriculum participated in a 3-day conference (Princeton, New Jersey, August 27-30, 1981). The material in the handbook is drawn from the experience of these…

In fall 1975 a study of the General Education program at Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC) was initiated to determine the appropriate role of an open-door community college in preparing students to live in and contribute positively to society. The central assumption underpinning the three-year study was that a General Education program should…

The intent of this paper is to discuss the principal issues and interacting factors of basic importance in the planning and development of university programs to prepare bilingual teaching professionals. After a brief discussion of two approaches in planning and designing new teacher preparation programs, the "redo" method and the…

The report of a California task force examines new or revised special education service delivery models which would allow for maximum interaction between special education and general education. After a review of the literature and a 2-day policy forum, the task force concluded that there is no one model appropriate for all schools and all…

Based on the realization that the arts humanize the teaching process, motivate learning in all areas of the curriculum, and answer the need for creative expression, the Oklahoma plan was instituted in 1976 to provide a comprehensive arts program for the public schools. Its approaches include in-depth instruction by arts specialists, integration of…

The goal of this guide is to provide information, support and practical tools that may help educators design, implement, and evaluate their school's standards-based education program. In order to work, a comprehensive, standards-based educational program must, by definition, be the organizing structure upon which the school program operates.…