A new development in teacher education is the involvement of accrediting agencies, legislatures, and the federal government in mandating standards, curriculum, and assessment at all levels of education. The effects of this development on teacher education are examined, and changes needed within teacher education and administrator education…

Presents activities which highlight major concepts of linear programming. Demonstrates how technology allows students to solve linear programming problems using exploration prior to learning algorithmic methods. (DDR)

Asserts that closing the racial achievement gap does not necessarily require more competition and choice, but does require that educational objectives are clearly defined, practices adequately aligned, and evaluations based on long-term effectiveness. Highlights the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), discussing sociological and historical…

This study explored possible predictors of failure to pass state proficiencies in English/Language Arts and Mathematics by more than 6,000 Indiana students in 2000-2002. Data explored included early test results, school attendance, grade point averages, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Predictors included early poor achievement,…

Articulation of clear, specific expectations for student learning can lead to better classroom teaching and assessment techniques. The system used at Alverno College (Wisconsin), and particularly the use of stated expectations for English majors, illustrates this concept. Defining expectations can also help create coherence across and entire…

Discusses factors that contribute to students with learning disabilities having difficulty acquiring and retaining math skills. Factors include national reform movements that have influenced math instruction, inclusion, characteristics of students with learning disabilities, and poor mathematics curricula and instruction. Recommendations for…

Massachusetts' Board of Higher Education is moving to develop one state higher education institution as an elite campus to draw the state's best students, as Commonwealth College of Massachusetts. Ten institutions are competing for approval of their institutions and models, which include elements such as enhanced curricula and honors programs,…

Examines problems in external university evaluation associated with a small country, such as Lithuania, including lack of resources, lack of competition, language of instruction, and program condensation as part of the transition from communist rule. Perceived needs include specific international academic standards, performance indicators, and…

Addresses the concern of educational adequacy: the availability of properly financed and managed accelerated-education programs that produce high minimum educational outcomes for disadvantaged students. Offers 11 specific educational policy and organizational elements that can be implemented to "remedy" educational inadequacy by courts in…

Relates the experiences of a class of 25 masters students in education and their attempts to incorporate criteria from two educational frameworks into their course assignments. The students used the five key features of "Powerful Social Studies for Elementary Students "and guidelines from the National Council on Social Studies standards.…

Describes a continuous school-wide effort begun in 1994 by Nogales High School (Arizona) to improve student writing. Nogales students in 2000 and 2001 scored at or above the state averages on the writing assessment portion of the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS). Advocates involving all teachers from all disciplines in the effort to…

A literature review of teacher stress in Scotland found that hours worked by teachers have not changed significantly over the last decade, but the number of unpopular tasks over which teachers have little control has increased, resulting in increased stress. Being forced to implement mandated changes also increases teacher stress. (Contains 46…

Examines three themes in the area of standards and accountability as they apply to the current condition of teacher education in California and elsewhere: why the teacher education standards movement has gained inertia so quickly, the consequences of standards on existing accreditation processes such as that of the National Council for…

This article describes ways, based on the curriculum, to measure the progress of students with disabilities and then provides practical information on how to set up and use curriculum-based measurement (CBM) procedures to design meaningful and easy-to-communicate assessments for students. Tips for efficiency with CBM procedures are discussed.…

Issues that must be addressed if predominantly Anglo-American universities are to improve minority participation and achievement rates without sacrificing quality include help minority students graduate, plan strategically, encourage perceptions of comfort, expect support from faculty, present reflective curriculums, and promote diversity. (MLW)