As in many other countries around the globe, the Dominican Republic (DR) has recently implemented important educational changes. The curriculum changed from a content-based to a competence-based approach, and grade configurations changed from four-year to three-year cycles, moving seventh and eighth grades out of elementary and into high school.…

Online course offerings and student enrollments continue to increase on a yearly basis, making online education a viable option for many K-12 students. This growth has increased the demand for online teachers and many educators will be experiencing the online environment for the first time. Many instructors find the online environment requires a…

The competency movement, or "the cult of competency," is critiqued in this paper, which argues that the movement is less concerned with the complex facets of competence than it is with a technology of specific knowledge and application. Educational institutions have several message systems through which objectives can be achieved:…

This report is the second in a series of RAND reports on the topic of education research and development proposing a long-term, strategic program of research and development in mathematics education. The RAND Mathematics Study Panel's recommendations for the substance and conduct of the program are presented in this report. The program is designed…

The purpose of this workbook is to provide an individualized approach to learning when using activities from the Exemplars program. This workbook can be an effective staff development tool because it can be used alone or in a workshop setting. It emphasizes that Exemplars tasks can serve as instructional tools as well as assessment tools. It…

The Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) is the most comprehensive reform legislation nationally, bringing substantial change to all levels of the educational system. A group of researchers who have spent time in schools in Kentucky and policy analysts knowledgeable about Kentucky and other state education reform efforts convened in October 1992…

This study looks at the interview responses of teachers and administrators in five secondary schools in Ontario (Canada) to government-initiated accountability strategies. Several questions were posed: (1) What were the perceived effects of these strategies? (2) What motives did teachers and administrators ascribe to the government for introducing…

A series of workshops focusing on improving science and social-studies instruction was designed by student teachers from Oakland University and classroom teachers from a Detroit-area school district. This article discusses how this professional-development design exemplifies research findings and contributed to participants' professional growth.…

Argues that the application of competency-based education strategies have served to reduce the educator's role and marginalize teachers' commitment. Criticizes the British approach and describes alternative concepts. Recommends models of professionalism based on "expertise." (CFR)

This digest highlights ways in which new and seasoned teachers are developing a repertoire of skills and knowledge that complement education reform efforts. For example, rather than seeing each stage of a teacher's professional life as distinct and separate, a more holistic view of the development of teacher from novice to advanced practitioner is…

The program of the 1981 Appalachia Educational Laboratory Forum was based on the theme of improving schools and using research and development. The first section of this report contains summaries of presentations made at the forum. In the first presentation, a discussion is given on outcome-based education, the merits and drawbacks of mastery…

Written by English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teachers and teacher educators who played key roles in the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages' (TESOL) Standards and Assessment Project, this book is designed for preservice teachers in credential/licensure programs and master's programs at American universities and for practicing ESL…

The purpose of this study was to identify principals' instructional leadership actions within a comprehensive teacher evaluation system in successful schools rated as recognized or exemplary by the accountability measures in place. The study followed a multiple case study approach. Participants included six school administrators within the same…

This article describes the Council for Exceptional Children's professional standards for special education teachers, including the content standards and the knowledge and skill standards. Information is provided on how to use the standards to structure a professional development plan, maintain expertise and evaluate competency. Self-evaluation…

The following are among the papers included in these proceedings: "Challenging the Exclusionary Effects of the Inclusive Mask of Adult Education" (Rockhill); "Organic Intellectuals of the State and Political Struggle in the University" (Cunningham); "Adult Education's Prospects in a Post-University World" (Smith);…