Outlines the school board policy and guidelines developed by the Fairfax County Public Schools for dealing with controversial issues. Discusses how to develop such guidelines and prepare staff for their implementation. Includes a sample form and a four-step review process. (MD)

Educators in the Netherlands conceive of peace education as alternating between the transformation or improvement of the individual and the transformation of structures within which people act. Peace education aims at raising people's consciousness that they are responsible for peace. (RM)

Defines and discusses "multicultural literacy." Maintains that multicultural literacy for teachers would permit a growing culturally diverse student population to fulfill the purpose of education within the context of each student's special linguistic and cultural gifts. (EL)

The following topics concerning Norwegian upper secondary schools are discussed: legislation and general area of study; the area of study for clerical and commercial subjects; grades and examinations; the certificate; and student characteristics. (RM)

Explains how findings from L. Flower and J.A. Hayes's research into experienced writers' composing processes can be used to teach writing in general and the resume in particular by helping students focus on the audience, their own persona or voice, the content or meaning they wish to convey, and the format for conveying it. (EL)

A survey of social studies supervisors revealed that beginning teachers have inadequate knowledge of social studies content and teaching methods, both of which, according to the supervisors, are essential to good teaching. Reform is needed in teacher education. National Council for the Social Studies teacher education standards are inadequate. (RM)

Offers a rationale that can be used to defend the assignment of Alice Walker's controversial novel for class reading. Indicates four issues that might evoke calls for censorship: (1) subject matter, (2) vocabulary, (3) grammar, and (4) the epistolary form of the work. (RBW)

Suggests that all uses of English are specific in their nature, and thus, all teaching of English as a foreign language should be addressed to specific purposes. It is argued that an English for Specific Purposes course should be characterized by the use of authentic materials, an orientation to purposeful activities, and self-access organization…

A pilot study that analyzed methods in Swedish pre-school teacher education showed that (1) pre-school methods no longer focus on concrete, detailed work with children, (2) teacher educators have less control over the organization of practical training, and (3) student teachers possess more subject knowledge. (RM)

Summarizes research on public support of sex education courses in public schools, the content and effects of such cources, and the pertinent public policy stances of legislatures and courts. (JW)

The article describes the development of the Estonian school mathematics syllabus in 1990-2005 on the context of changes in the national general education curriculum. The major steps of the development, the background and the main problems are observed: project of the Estonian mathematics syllabus from 1989; first mathematics syllabuses…

This Oklahoma curriculum guide, which includes a teacher edition, a student edition, and a student workbook, provides three units for a course on oxyacetylene welding, oxyfuel cutting, and cutting done with alternative fuels such as MAPP, propane, and natural gas. The three units are: "Oxyacetylene Welding"; "Oxyfuel Cutting";…

This report presents the results of the professional judgment component of a seven month project undertaken by American Institutes for Research (AIR) to answer the following question: What is the cost of providing all California public school students with access to the California content standards, thereby achieving appropriate levels of…

In 2002, the Michigan State Board of Education asked the Department of Education to develop grade-by-grade "content expectations" in reading/English language arts and mathematics to provide guidance to local educators and parents and serve as the basis for annual assessments required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of…

Rigorous college preparatory course sequences are critical to preparing students for postsecondary education and work. Yet, large numbers of students still do not participate in the most beneficial courses, and there is little evidence that the high school curriculum is rigorous enough to ensure that most students are adequately prepared for…