The authors describe the journey they undertook integrating the arts into the summer institute. The central reason for their focus on the arts in the summer institute is the desire to support education reform--with a particular eye to social justice in schools. The authors believe that when the field is open wide enough to allow everyone's ideas…

DC Public Schools has adopted new learning standards for core subjects, including reading/English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. The new standards show what students should know and be able to do: (1) in each subject; (2) at each grade level; and (3) in every school. Standards tell all students that they are expected to…

This book is a guide to reclaiming students' passionate engagement in learning. It uses stories from classrooms; the voices of teachers, parents, and students; and practical suggestions to advocate a view of curriculum as a web of relationships. There are 16 chapters in four parts. Part 1, "The Promise of Passionate Learning," includes…

This collection of papers takes stock of 20 years of school reform in the United States, examining whether the nation was ever "at risk," and if so, whether it still is and which reforms have made a difference. Papers include "Introduction" (David T. Gordon); (1) "Riding Waves, Trading Horses: The Twenty-Year Effort to…

This book provides 12 theme-based model lessons for gifted students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Introductory material addresses ways to integrate middle school curricula with established national standards and principles of differentiated curriculum. Each lesson follows a five-part outline: (1)motivation (stimulating the learner); (2) input (providing…

This report synthesizes research on helping at-risk students meet academic standards. The studies chosen had to be published after 1984, be implemented in the United States, relate to K-12 students, directly assess students' academic achievement, address strategies that could be implemented in the regular classroom, and use strategies targeting…

In providing its program for education reform, this book uses, as an analogy, the genetic model taken from the Human Genome project. In the first part, "Theoretical Underpinnings," the book explains why a genetic model can be used to improve school systems; describes the critical components of a world-class school system; and details the…

This book provides a full framework for integrating science and literacy. It shows how tapping into children's interest in science can help them develop key literacy skills and strategies as they explore the world around them. Examples of integrated science units include hands-on instructions and reproducible materials for learning activities that…

El Camino College, California, is a public two-year college in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County. The El Camino College District encompasses 5 high school districts, 12 elementary school districts and nine cities, with a population of almost 1 million. The district is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees, each representing one of the…

In this California state curriculum model for grade 7, "World History and Geography: Medieval Society," students study the life, work, and philosophy of Cesar Chavez. They learn about the ideas and philosophies that have withstood the test of time and emerged in Chavez's work and actions. Students examine Chavez's ancestral heritage link…

In this California state curriculum model for grade 8, "United States History and Geography: A More Perfect Union," students study the life, work, and philosophy of Cesar E. Chavez. They learn about historical events and developments in the United States that Chavez encountered. They examine how Chavez worked to bring the promises…

This issue is the last in a three-part series on teaching quality. The first examined the effectiveness of various approaches to recruiting, educating, and inducting teachers. This report discusses the school environment and role of teachers' working conditions in attracting and retaining good teachers, noting several disparate factors that…

This teacher's guide is intended to inform the education community of the design of the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program for the 21st Century (LEAP 21) criterion-referenced tests (CRTs). The guide includes the following: an overview of the design of the state tests in English Language Arts (ELA) for grades 4, 8, and 10; sample test items;…

The concept of location is a first step in spatial thinking, one of the multiple intelligences and an historical and social science analysis skill listed in the California Academic Content Standards for History-Social Science. Based on what they learned in kindergarten and first grade about mapping their classroom and the playground, students…

This report describes the development and implementation of a place-based curriculum for a small charter high school of 25 students in Wisconsin. The curriculum involved 100 days of field studies in local places such as historical archives, a restored wetland, a river valley, and a senior citizen community center. The students worked with 60…