School reform efforts are reflected in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and increasingly impact potential for differentiation of instruction, which is critical in effectively educating students with varying achievement and learning needs. Although CCSS were developed to establish a ubiquitous foundation of educational expectations by grade…

The objective of this study is to better understand the process by which K-12 school districts select curricula materials in four critical subject areas: Mathematics, English Language Arts, Science, and History and Social Studies. This research has two primary goals: (1) to understand the process by which K-12 school districts select and adopt…

This report documents the development of assessments of content knowledge for teaching (CKT) as part of the Measures of Effective Teaching (MET) study, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.The MET study was designed to develop a set of measures that together serve as an accurate indicator of teaching effectiveness. The study was…

Using a mixed methodology study, this article explores the influence of academic language comprehension on reading, writing, and academic performance at a regional comprehensive institution. We completed a comprehensive survey of 150 students in ENGL 101 and 201, asking questions about academic reading strategies and important disciplinary…

Discusses the salience imbalance hypothesis as a description of the nature of metaphorical comprehension. Presents the Salient Characteristic Analysis Technique (SCAT), an instructional technique to assist students in comprehending metaphorical text. Offers a sample lesson. (SR)

This handbook is designed to provide general goals for evaluating the language arts programs at any level from kindergarten through the twelfth grade. The general and specific objectives used are based on those recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English to reflect basic skills. The guide is intended to be a flexible tool for…

This final report is the second of three reports (Preliminary, Final, and Summary) of the findings of the 1988 Provincial Writing Assessment in Manitoba, Canada for grades 4, 8, and 11 of French Immersion schools. It contains an overview of the purposes, procedures, and a detailed presentation of the findings and recommendations of the Writing…

This final report is the second of three reports (Preliminary, Final, and Summary) of the findings of the 1988 Provincial Writing Assessment in Manitoba, Canada for grades 4, 8, and 11 of Franco-Manitoban schools. It contains an overview of the purposes, procedures, and a detailed presentation of the findings and recommendations of the Writing…

Noting that many varied organizations have become increasingly politicized and maintain strong interests in the nation's education agenda, a survey of national professional organizations examined to what extent conservatism and liberalism on political matters translated into a similar mind-set on issues in the English curriculum. To survey 23…

Research and controversy continues to surround the principles that underpin the teaching of English. English teachers, nonetheless, must understand and be able to articulate a rationale for what they believe to be important in the teaching of English. In Great Britain the introduction of a National Curriculum for England and Wales has produced a…

A survey was conducted to ascertain the amount and type of external testing (defined as any test introduced from outside the classroom) of English/language arts being administered throughout the province of British Columbia (Canada) during the 1985-1986 school year. Teachers and administrators were also given the opportunity to comment on the…

Third in a series, this loose-leaf guide reviews resources for evaluating, selecting, and using software for teaching reading and communication skills. Sources of educational software listed include both commercial publishers and public domain sources. Software selection information sources are divided into journals, newsletters, and special…

One of three manuals developed to supplement the English Language Arts Syllabus K-12 for the State of New York, this draft manual discusses listening and speaking in the English language arts curriculum K-12. Designed to help teachers plan day-to-day instruction, the manual explains the rationale for listening and speaking instruction, defines…

This article reports the findings of a study examining the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) members' perceptions of what is required to become and to remain a highly-qualified teacher of the English language arts. An online survey was conducted to ten NCTE members: five teachers, and five university-based teacher educators. Findings…