The past five decades have produced a tremendous archive of important and interesting strategies, frameworks and practices aimed at improvement in public education. Yet despite the vast set of knowledge generated by this work, gains have not been significant enough nor sustained. Young people still arrive at postsecondary institutions ill-prepared…

Concludes that the logical outcome of a person-oriented curriculum position leads to a re-definition of the function of the school in the society. The schools are seen to be the only potentially controllable agency for humanization left in society. (Author/AM)

The article discusses the results of a study of the degree of individualized instruction available in five categories: student pacing, pretesting, remedial materials, optional units, and personalized instruction. (BP)

Studied how Montessori teachers accommodate young children's special needs. Phase one involved interviews and observations of several teachers, and phase two involved an extensive survey of teachers. Found that teachers' perceptions of support and collaboration, use of strategies to nurture independence, and the impact of children with challenging…

A case study explored how a middle-school teacher made decisions about individualization in daily lessons for students with learning disabilities. Results indicated content-centered planning and instruction as prominent themes in the first year, and a focus on the academic diversity of students in the second. (Author/CR)

Explores how the middle school concept is designed to make two seemingly contradictory goals compatible, those of providing a common core curriculum while meeting individual needs. Suggests that, similar to team sports or musical groups, it is possible to allow students to exercise personalized choices of how to meet the common objectives of the…

Curriculum mapping has evolved as an invaluable communication, planning, and teaching tool. Using this dynamic method, educators can document what is being taught, what students are learning, how well they are learning, and how closely the curriculum reflects local and national standards. This lively, easy-to-use resource is a cohesive and…

Discussed are three aspects of the development of computer-aided learning materials: (1) reconstructing a beginning college physics course to be more efficient and flexible; (2) exploring simulations and learning sequences not usually accessible to students; (3) dissemination of project ideas to administrators and faculty elsewhere. (CS)

A central concern of educational innovation is making instruction relevant to the needs and learner characteristics of individual students generally and of special subpopulations of students in particular. Current schooling often involves inappropriate learning goals, ineffectual curricular and instructional materials, discriminatory organization…

This document describes the efforts of program administrators to implement an organic curriculum in the Monroe, Michigan, high school. The chief program administrator coordinated curriculum revision activities to increase vocational guidance and training and to train teachers in individualized instruction methods. Organic curriculum is a learner-…

Summarizes the following differences between adult learners and more "traditional" college age students: (1) chronology; (2) developmental progression; (3) motivation; (4) learning style; and (5) intellectual development. Discusses the debate concerning general education. Discusses the necessity of accommodating the needs of the students and ways…

Compulsory schooling commences for children in New Zealand when they are 6 years old, but all primary schools accept children from the day of their fifth birthday. On any school day, a new pupil may enter the class for new entrants and become part of the school system. This article explores the creation of an appropriate environment for these new…

Examines four key themes from a national study, focusing particularly on beliefs and practices of middle school teachers and principals as they relate to academically diverse learners. Provides insight into how middle level educators think about and address academic diversity in their schools and classrooms, and suggests areas for staff…

A survey of the literature indicates that the adult reading student requires instruction based on perceptual, skill-learning principles, rather than on the analytical framework used for the instruction of elementary school reading students. This document proposes a systematic method of organizing a community college reading center to meet the…