Almost three-fourths of the American public has lost confidence in the nation's schools, but the recent passage of the Proposition 30 shows that the majority of voters in California hold on to their hope for their schools. School administrators need to build on that vote of confidence, starting at the local level, so they can help the public…

A study of comments posted on the Internet shows that middle-class Russians are frustrated with the quality of education available to their children. They are also concerned about corruption, the attitude of officials they deal with, and the way in which changes in education are introduced, seemingly without concern for the consequences for…

Well before the Next Generation Science Standards became final last month, teachers in pockets around the country were already exploring the vision for science education espoused by the document and bringing elements of that approach to the classroom. The new standards call for bringing greater depth to K-12 students' understanding of the subject…

In 1994, aggressive leadership from the National Association for Music Education resulted in the adoption of the nine National Standards for Music Education. Now, almost two decades later, much has changed. Standards have been studied and critiqued, and scholars have undertaken a great deal of research to identify best practices not only for…

Education bureaucrats in 45 states have approved the Common Core State Standards ([CCSS], 2010) as the de facto national curriculum. The implementation of the CCSS will be monitored by a national standardized test in language arts and mathematics. The confluence of a standardized curriculum enforced with a standardized test will entrench a…

The capstone course at Eastern Connecticut State University was designed for teacher candidates in secondary mathematics. The course centers on the idea of connections between mathematical topics, between different areas of mathematics, and between undergraduate and secondary mathematics. The course also provides data for accreditation of the…

Stronge, Ward, and Grant (2011) emphasize the fundamental need to evaluate the teaching that occurs in our classrooms. They add that in order to effect change in the quality of our education, we must continue to investigate what constitutes effective teaching as it has significant implications for both the education of and assessment of teachers…

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS), which aim to assure competency in English/language arts and mathematics through the K-12 curriculum, define necessary but not sufficient preparedness for success in college. The Degree Qualifications Profile (DQP), which describes what a college degree should signify, regardless of major, offers useful but…

In recent years, the education spotlight in the United States has shifted from high school graduation to postsecondary success, along with the recognition that to thrive in today's economy requires more than just a high school diploma. Also, while prior research has focused on after-school and higher-education collaborations with districts, there…

This paper presents a method for social studies teachers to incorporate song lyrics into the study of controversial historical events and issues. Using the Hunt and Metcalf "Seven Problematic Areas of the Social Studies" as the rubric for selecting appropriate songs, the Teacher Candidate (TC) explains how song lyrics make viable text…

Most public schools and districts must face the problem of how to help low-achieving students and efficiently target resources, particularly in the face of accountability under No Child Left Behind. One policy that has been employed is grouping students into classrooms by their measured or perceived ability--a process known as tracking. Research…

Zoom in on the academic skills students are required to learn in reading, writing, speaking/listening, and language! This book cuts through all of the Common Core jargon and gets right to the heart of what students need to learn now. "Big Skills for the Common Core" is packed with engaging strategies you can use immediately to improve your…

This module examines Focus and Coherence, two of the three shifts required for implementation of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM). Focus and Coherence are the two major design principles of the math standards. The module assumes prior knowledge of the information presented in Module 1. Course Objectives: By the end of the…

In 2008, the Commission of Professors of Adult Education approved and published "Standards for Graduate Programs in Adult Education," an update of the 1986 "Standards." Using the program websites of the 37 North American programs ascertained to have doctoral programs in the field, this study evaluated all programs' course…

Assessment is essential to all forms of work in the arts. Successful arts assessment concepts, patterns, and methods have evolved over many centuries. They are inherent in all arts teaching and central to art-making at all levels of proficiency and sophistication. And they work: achievements in the arts are among the highest in civilization. At…