The overall aim of the study was to gather evidence on effective policy reforms for broad competence development in school education, including better achievement of basic skills. The six key objectives are: Objective 1: To understand the key features of policy design and implementation of reforms for broad competence development and achievement…

In response to the challenge to teach basics, schools can choose among a number of alternative ways of giving the word "basics" a local definition. Discusses five guidelines for interpreting "basics". (Author/RK)

Any debate about general education is seen as a debate about culture, curricula, and proportion; common or not so common values; the nature of knowledge and the desire and necessity of transferring traditions from one generation to the next; and the degree to which undergraduate study should emphasize specialization. (MLW)

This document is a statement of the basic music skills that Kentucky students should develop. This skills list does not replace any locally developed curriculum. It is intended as a guide for local school districts in Kentucky in their development of a detailed K-12 curriculum. The skills presented are considered basic to a sound education program…

The author states his belief that art education is more than developing art products, and that as long as the art product is the goal, rather than the educating of the child through the visual arts concepts, the potential of this discipline as a tool for learning will remain diminished. (Author/KC)

An addendum to the larger publication entitled "The Kangaroo Book," this document describes a unit approach to planning kindergarten curriculum and offers three sammple units. Exploration of the unit approach includes discussions of topic, concepts, large and small group experiences; descriptions of learning center activities; techniques for…

This article describes the back-to-basics and humanistic education movements and concludes that it is crucial to maintain the balance between the two, that both have intrinsic merit. The de-emphasis of either is an abdication of the responsibility schools assume and an injustice to the children they serve. (Author/KC)

This manual offers a multicultural basic skills curriculum for Grades K-12 in Washington State schools, and provides student learning goals. A brief introduction describes the curriculum model and defines multicultural education as a perspective and process which can be integrated with any of the basic skill content areas. The remainder of the…

"Back to Basics" has become a popular phrase to describe the current trend in higher education's general education requirements. What must be addressed beyond the evident need for basic skills is the nature of the "mission" of the general education curriculum component. (Author)

States that students often enter college with few problem-solving skills. Urges colleges to offer appropriate skills-building courses to students as well as to school personnel, since they will be counseling students on financial aid and other issues. Asserts that, by integrating problem-solving skills into the curriculum, students will be better…

The changing role of computational skills is discussed. A level of computational skill desirable in light of predictable future needs is proposed, and four reasons for advocating that level are discussed. (MN)

Discussion of the need to raise education and training levels in the United Kingdom focuses on qualifications based on a clear specification of outcomes. National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are described as a model that can be expanded to meet educational objectives as well as occupational competence, and core skills are discussed. (nine…

More than 15 years after its publication of influential national standards in mathematics, a leading professional organization has unveiled new and more focused guidelines that describe the crucial skills and content students should master in that subject in elementary and middle school. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics released…

After learning that graduating seniors at El Cajon Valley High School, California, were scoring around the 20th percentile in all the basic skills areas tested, teachers redoubled their efforts to establish proficiency standards in basic skills already identified by the community and governing board as a first priority. (Author/RK)

The United States must renew its commitment to public education by establishing clear goals in education, restoring language to a central place in the classroom, developing a coherent curriculum, and reaffirming the centrality of teaching. (Author/MSE)