In the Air Force's Advanced Communications-Computer Systems Officers Training (ACOT) Course, participants must complete the ACOT Learning Contract to learn more about a specific problem or topic. The group must reach consensus on a topic and grade for the contract, fostering intense teamwork. (JOW)

This document is a compilation of the proceedings of the 23rd Annual State California Conference on Educational Research. The theme of the proceedings centered around accountability and curriculum. Each participant submitted his remarks on specially designed paper; each page was photographed and prepared without editing. The three general sessions…

The author's conclusion is that it is much more logical and economically feasible to provide a learning environment with a structured behaviorally stated relevant curriculum where teachers would have the freedom to do the job for which they have been hired rather than to deal with an outside agency. (Author/RY)

Describes a program using thematic language arts learning contracts. (DD)

Discusses current issues in education and their impact upon the teaching of art in the public schools. (DS)

Briefly traces the history of science curriculum development in the United States. Explains learning contracts and mastery learning as two techniques for humanizing science instruction. Summarizes the main objectives for science teaching, the rationales, and the claims that must be satisfied. (GS)

Article described a project designed to adapt contract teaching on a multi-level basis to the environment of the smaller high school. (Author/RK)

The intent of the Commission on Reading of the National Council of Teachers of English in developing this group of articles was to provide insight into critical issues related to accountability and reading instruction. The initial presentation by James Laffey develops a brief historical analysis of educational accountability, followed by a…

This paper attempts to clarify the scope of performance contracting, to speculate about its genesis in terms of socio-economic forces, and to review current opinion among those who will likely influence its future. (Author)

In December of 1970, teachers in the Mesa Public Schools will design the procedures by which they contract with the Mesa School to produce certain student outcomes for a given unit of study in the spring. These will be specified in a "contract" written by the school board. Teams will "bid" on the contract, submitting dollar estimates of all cost…

A well-designed college course syllabus can serve a variety of purposes: as an agreement between teacher and student; as a device for communicating intent, seriousness, and expectations; as an overall plan of action for the course; and as a cognitive map of the course to share with students. This article identifies the major components of a good…

Four curricular models are contrasted: the performance model (which is exemplified by most college curricula), closed and open contrast models, and the "experimenting community" in which learning experiences emerge from a process of interaction. This latter approach is elaborated upon in terms of its emphasis on nurturing improvisational learning,…