The Baltimore Curriculum Project brought direct instruction (DI) and core knowledge (Core) to several Baltimore City public schools. This article describes implementation of DI and Core at one elementary school, documenting the dramatic growth in student achievement since implementation of DI in reading and examining distractions that interfered…

Proposes a 10-criteria classification framework, derived from current literature, to capture the characteristics of the design, leadership, and implementation of school improvement programs in the United Kingdom. Uses the classification frame to analyze the design model adopted by the secondary school in the case study. Draws conclusions about the…

The 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (Title I) embodies a 35-year national commitment to help educate economically and educationally disadvantaged children. Enhanced achievement expectations and a resurgent child poverty rate should spur Congress to renew Title I funding by the end of 1999-2000. (14 references) (MLH)

Analyzes effects of curriculum changes resulting from university education reforms in Spain during 1990-95, focusing on first-cycle undergraduate economics students and using estimated education-production functions. Considers both affective and cognitive education-output dimensions. Curriculum reform produced no significant differences in…

Meaningful change occurs in a school culture with strong belief statements that guide reform decisions and consequences. At least four steps are required: developing a series of belief statements, determining those statements' implications, putting implications into practice, and revisiting belief statements and implications regularly to ensure…

Shares observations about implementation issues that have emerged during efforts to find and evaluate computer-based solutions for students' learning and studying problems. Notes these issues fall into five topic areas: access issues, motivational issues, curriculum integration issues, labeling issues, and funding issues. Describes each issue,…

Interviews with secondary and postsecondary teachers and administrators in Minnesota tech prep consortia found that most understood the role of articulation agreements, but little attention was paid to actual compliance. Postsecondary institutions received little funding for implementing agreements. Consortia did not appear to be achieving the…

Explores two themes: the marginalization of curriculum subjects and the gap between curriculum policy aims and the implemented physical-education curriculum in Hong Kong schools. Proposes a framework (representing normative, institutional, and resource domains) to further insight into problems connected with these themes and generate policies to…

Discussion of adoption models for learning technologies focuses on how the use of models tends to channel and constrain thinking. Topics include the importance of practice over theory; needs assessment; committees or consultants; developing a framework; data collection, analysis, and interpretation; implementation; and evaluation and revision.…

"The Future of Schools" (1998), by Australia's former Minister of Education Don Hayward and Professor Brian J. Caldwell, recounts the development, implementation, and early effects of a far-reaching change effort. The authors'"lessons" are undercut by insufficient data connecting the reform with improved teaching and learning.…

Discusses implementation of an "E-Master's" degree in marketing at Monash University in Australia. The electronic delivery of this degree follows the successful implementation of an online course, "Marketing Theory and Practice," at the university, described in 1999's volume 24, number 2 of this journal. (EV)

Discusses the rationale for the introduction of problem-based learning (PBL) pedagogy into dental education, the modalities of PBL being introduced, and the implications of its introduction into dental schools. Addresses implementation, faculty development, admissions, and assessment. Presents and discusses observations from a parallel-track…

Reports results of two separate but related studies: The first involves the use of a rubric to evaluate improvement plans from low-performing schools; the second involves a sample of teacher and administrator perceptions of their involvement in improvement planning. Finds poor-quality plans in evaluation study to be related to teacher-involvement…

Survey compares counselors' perceptions of their comprehensive guidance and counseling programs (CGCPs). Results revealed a moderate relationship between how involved counselors are with the development and implementation of the CGCP and the level of importance they ascribe to their program. Task concerns were a significant predictor of…

Educators can develop fair and accurate standards-based grading/reporting by switching to criterion-referenced grading practices; using differentiated criteria (denoting product, process, and progress); clarifying the purpose of each reporting tool; and developing a reporting form that identifies standards, facilitates interpretation, and…