A common educational assumption is that coherence is a pre-requisite for a "good" curriculum. Indeed, in mathematics education this perspective has persisted both nationally and internationally as a foundational principle for curriculum design, reform, and evaluation. While curricular coherence is often unquestioningly accepted as…

Research suggests that high school students often have negative experiences with mathematics. To address this challenge, this paper shares findings of a design-based research project in which researchers and teachers developed and used a narrative approach to lesson planning in order to design lesson experiences that provide opportunities for high…

This critical qualitative study focused on what are the factors that contribute to high learner performance at a public school in South Africa. Purposive sampling was used and the data was produced via interviews with the participants (the principal, ten teachers, five ex learners and two parents) as well as observations of various school…

Maintains that two goals in multicultural art education are developing students' sensitivity to the techniques and inspiration of artists and utilizing that understanding to discover more about their own beliefs and values as translated through an art object. Describes a case-study lesson based on this approach. (CFR)

Describes the development and impact of a fine arts high school graduation requirement. Discusses how music, drama, and art teachers relinquished some of their independence to form a fine arts department. Includes six strategies that might be used to institute a fine arts graduation requirement in other schools. (CFR)

Contends that the attainment targets of the first draft of the National Curriculum for Art neglect art appreciation and limit rather than liberate children's creative powers. Concludes that the biggest concern is how to reconcile the demand for a tighter curriculum structure with the need to preserve an important place for personal spontaneity.…

Contends that many Russian schools have begun to use democratization by including more emphasis on aesthetic values, interdisciplinary instruction, and cooperative learning. Includes descriptions of classroom activities exemplifying Russian efforts at educational democratization. (CFR)

Goal IX of the Educational Quality Assessment (EQA) deals with appreciating human accomplishments. The assessment instruments concentrate on attitudes that measure the degree of value students place on areas of human accomplishment and the willingness of students to explore environments where firsthand experiences are available. The purpose of…