"Boys Will Be Boys," the television program featured in this videotape and teaching guide, explores the turmoil experienced by a young woman, a high school sophomore, who becomes the victim of sexual harassment at school. The program can be a springboard for discussing the larger issues of sexual harassment and women's rights today and…

"The Writing on the Wall," the television program featured in this videotape and teaching guide, focuses on three suburban teenagers who deface with anti-Semitic graffiti, the property of a rabbi, a holocaust survivor, and the Jewish community center and synagogue. The teenagers, tried and convicted, are spared a harsh sentence when the…

Another step in the process of teacher education reform under the leadership of the Indiana Professional Standards Board (IPSB), this paper presents the draft framework for the initial licensure of professional educators in the state of Indiana. The preface discusses the composition of the committee, the process, selections, the "house"…

A study of science and math education systemic reform in rural schools aimed to help educators understand and build upon the inherent strengths of rural schools and communities that support systemic reform. The first phase of the study involved developing a system of indicators for each of six drivers of educational system reform: 1)…

This guide shares information about the South Carolina Curriculum Standards with parents. The standards outline state requirements for children's learning, and what students across the state should be able to do in certain subjects. The guide lists seven key reasons for parents to be aware of the new curriculum standards, and then presents a…

In the children's book, "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse," Lilly gets into trouble for interrupting class to show off her three shiny quarters and her purple plastic purse, which makes music when it is opened. This curriculum unit intended for students in grades 2 and 3 supports the book (and Kennedy Center Production). The five lessons in…

Following passage of the Massachusetts Education Reform Act in 1993, comprehensive statewide assessments to evaluate students' mastery of required content and skills were developed in the core academic areas of mathematics, language arts, science, and history and social science. By 1998, the state had established assessments at the fourth, eighth,…

The Alaska Benchmarks Examinations measure student achievement in reading, writing, and mathematics at grades 3, 6, and 8. This booklet answers some of the most frequently asked questions about these examinations and presents some sample questions. The Benchmark Examinations are part of a statewide school reform effort known as the Quality Schools…

This guide for French-speaking parents of students with learning disabilities in Alberta presents a variety of strategies parents can use to help their children in grades 1 through 9 become successful learners. Section 1 offers ideas for helping students get and stay organized, such as using self-talk to create a positive attitude and organizing…

This monograph from the University of Minnesota General College (GC) discusses theoretical perspectives on developmental education from both new and established standpoints. GC voluntarily eliminated its degree programs in order to focus on preparing under-prepared students for transfer to the university system. GC's curricular model includes a…

This report states that since July 1995, the State of Florida has required each public college and university to obtain scores on one of the following test batteries for degree-seeking students prior to registration: Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), American College Testing (ACT), or the Florida College Entry-Level Placement Test (CPT). A…

This report explains the growing evidence that investments in teacher knowledge are among the most productive means for increasing student learning. The creation of rigorous professional standards for teachers is one sign of progress in this area. However, new teaching standards will have little import for students, particularly the most…

This study analyzes the pedagogical ideas underpinning teachers' accounts of the successful use of computer-based tools and resources to support the teaching and learning of mathematics. These accounts were elicited through group interviews with the mathematics departments in seven secondary schools in England, conducted in the first half of 2000.…

The hypothesis that enhanced knowledge of assessment rubrics by teachers and thus by students results in improved student achievement was studied in the context of the development of mandatory high school assessments for the Maryland State Department of Education. Rubrics were under development to score constructed-response items in the content…

This study identifies the institutions of higher education which are the most productive in the number of degrees in mathematics, engineering, and science (MSE) awarded to minority students (African Americans, American Indians, and Hispanics). Using 1992-93 data, the study focused on the 17 states (and Puerto Rico) in which minority students…