Capturing and measuring instructional patterns by using standardized observation manuals has become increasingly popular in classroom research. While researchers argue that a common vocabulary of teaching is necessary for the field of classroom research to move forward, instructional features vary across classrooms and contexts, which poses…

The Massachusetts Early College Initiative eases the pathway to postsecondary education for thousands of high school students annually. Early college programs provide strategically-sequenced, real college classes with strong career orientations during students' regular high school day. When fully realized, they also provide enhanced academic and…

Researchers frequently evaluate rater judgments in performance assessments for evidence of differential rater functioning (DRF), which occurs when rater severity is systematically related to construct-irrelevant student characteristics after controlling for student achievement levels. However, researchers have observed that methods for detecting…

With the adoption of the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards, writing has become an increasingly important area of instruction. Moreover, there has been an increased sophistication in the types of writing required of young children and the use of textual evidence expected in student writing. Historically, children have not been…

This article argues that scholarship on literacy in and across the disciplines has disproportionately focused on the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies rather than on "specialist" subjects such as Physical Education. This disparity in emphasis has provided little guidance to specialist teachers seeking to…

Educational evaluation (Ed Eval) and professional learning communities (PLCs) are two of the nation's most predominant approaches to widespread instructional improvement. Yet key attributes of these reform initiatives are too often experienced by teachers as burdensome, or even detrimental, rather than helpful. The authors of this article contend…

This policy report provides an overview of the Common Core State Standards, how they were developed, the sources that were referenced in their development, the need for educational standards generally, what they entail, and what it will mean for educators to implement them. The report draws from research and reference material to outline the…

This handbook has been designed to serve as a resource book to familiarize teachers with the basics of nongrading. The opening chapter provides the general rationale, followed by a concise explanation of the philosophy and theory of nongradedness. Other chapters deal with the need for nongradedness and its implementation, the role of the teacher,…

A sequential program in listening is just as important as a sequential program in reading. (DD)

AN EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM ORIENTED TOWARD THE EDUCATION OF CULTURALLY DISADVANTAGED YOUTH IS DESIGNED TO--(1) INCREASE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL, (2) INCREASE THE ACQUISITION OF CULTURALLY APPROVED SOCIAL SKILLS, (3) MOTIVATE STUDENTS TO EXCEL IN ACADEMIC AND NONACADEMIC SHOOL-ORIENTED PURSUITS, (4) CHANGE, FOR EACH STUDENT, THOSE VALUES WHICH MAY…

A TENTATIVE GUIDE UTILIZES THE SPIRALLY-ORGANIZED (SEQUENTIAL) APPROACH TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CURRICULUM EXPERIENCES. THE GOAL IS TO DEVELOP RESPECT FOR THE WORK OF LITERATURE OVER THE THEORY OF LITERATURE. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT IN THE SOPHOMORE YEAR THE STUDENTS LEARN TO IDENTIFY CONCEPTS AND UNDERSTAND HOW WRITERS PUT THESE CONCEPTS TO USE. IN…

The purpose of this document is to provide a continuous, integrated, and sequential list of basic language arts skills for grades 1-12. The skills are listed for each grade in appropriate categories (such as reading skills, written communication, oral communications, and language skills), with the expected level of competency (mastery, competency,…

This monograph describes a curriculum first published 14 years ago that is based on students' human development. The described curriculum utilizes a framework of the language arts of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and literature understanding and leaves to the imagination and skill of the individual teacher how the curriculum is…

This publication contains three parts, all related to the language arts curriculum of the Shawnee Mission Public Schools. The first section provides a detailed outline (with references) of sequenced components representing a progressively difficult set of experiences in reading, writing, speaking, and listening for kindergarten through third…

The anti-curriculum in English must be anti-formal, anti-traditional, anti-rigid. It must, on the other hand, be pro-human, pro-imagination, pro-creation. (Author)