Using Tomlinson's (2004) framework, the post-secondary classroom can be transformed into a community of learners where different avenues are provided for effectively acquiring content, processing ideas, and developing products. This article explores how instructors can differentiate instruction in teacher-education methods courses by…

In 2007 Georgia instituted a flexibility policy through which school districts enter into performance contracts with the state, receiving waivers from state rules, provisions, and guidelines in exchange for agreeing to meet annual accountability targets. The performance contracts are intended to incentivize innovations that increase achievement…

These are the appendixes for the report, "District Changes in Student Achievement and Local Practice under Georgia's District and School Flexibility Policy." Five appendixes are included in the document: (1) About the study; (2) Data and methods; (3) Supporting analysis; (4) Survey instrument; and (5) Interview protocol. [For the full…

The learner-centered paradigm of instruction differs in such fundamental ways from the teacher-centered paradigm that it requires technology to serve very different functions. In 2006, a research team at Indiana University began to work on identifying those functions and published their results in 2008. Subsequently, the team elaborated and…

Inspired by his ability to teach algebra to low-income and mostly African American and Latino urban students--and have them outscore the state averages for high-income and Caucasian students on standardized tests--Kadhir "Raja" Rajagopal, the 2011 California Teacher of the Year, provides you with a model for teaching that unleashes the…

This booklet is the third in a series of eight reporting on the tenth-cycle Teacher Corps program in the Lincoln, Nebraska public school system, and details the role contracts and contracting play in the learning process. Key concepts in contracting are enumerated and specific processes are discussed as they relate to instructional contracts,…

Performance contracting, and some reservations thereto, are discussed as related to the present movement. The reservations are related to: (1) Accountability; (2) Individualized Teaching; (3) Extrinsic Rewards; (4) Testing; and (5) The Corruption of Both Language and the Process of Education. (DB)

A description of the Duluth Student Learning Contract which provides a student with a program for individualized study. (AK)

Designed as a follow-up activity for gifted and talented classes that have been using learning centers, this contract directs students in building their own learning centers. Six sections cover choosing a subject, researching, setting objectives for the learning center, developing activities for the center, writing directions and collecting…

At the higher education level, some educators saw individualization of the college curriculum as a means for personal development and a method for empowering the students and the faculty. Notions of adult education appeared to reinforce the strong movement to individualize the college curriculum. The development of contract learning pulled…

An elementary school teacher of gifted, creative, talented, and high ability students describes her efforts to individualize classroom instruction by developing learning centers and individualized learning materials. A Learning Agreement is used for personal planning of students' daily activities. Other classroom components are journal writing,…

The use of independent study contracts as a method of individualizing educational planning for the gifted allows gifted students to pursue in depth a topic or field of study, to use outside resources when appropriate, to make decisions about the mode and media to be used, and to assume some responsibility for their own learning. (SBH)

An innovative advanced shorthand/transcription program utilizing the competency-based concept along with individualized progression and contractual grading was initiated at Illinois State University. (Author)