Presents a crucial German essay, originally published in 1958, that defined and introduced didaktik to a new generation of educators. In this incarnation, didaktik represents an educational approach that incorporates critical thinking (as defined by Adorno and Habermas) into both content and instruction. Briefly outlines the essentials of didactic…

Describes the current South African university curriculum and degree structure, and proposes a new, more flexible model of academic progression that aims to improve articulation within the university system and between vocational/technical and higher education. The model is also intended to satisfy an emerging labor market need for more graduates…

Provides of examples of performance-based assessments in three categories: (1) projects; (2) performances; and (3) question strategy sessions. Describes a typical performance-based assessment project including setting up the project, peer evaluation, the class presentation, and the test used. (CFR)

The 1994 revised accreditation standards of the American Optometric Association's Council on Optometric Education (COE) are described briefly. The standards cover program mission, goals, objectives, and outcomes; administration; resources and facilities; faculty; clinical residency; curriculum; clinic management and patient care policies; research…

A framework is offered for institutions to use in identifying and overcoming obstacles to graduate student progress and retention. Seven aspects of graduate education that would have to be altered to reduce student frustration are examined: admissions, graduate curriculum, advising/mentoring, monitoring progress, financial support, institutional…

University collaboration with local public school systems in Birmingham (Alabama), El Paso (Texas), Hartford (Connecticut), Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), Providence (Rhode Island), and Pueblo (Colorado) have brought together a broad spectrum of stakeholders to work on systemic K-16 education reform with a focus on poor and minority children. (JB)

A Quality and Curriculum pilot summer school program paired teachers of remedial students, provided classroom volunteers, and arranged for teachers to attend sessions on reflection and learning in quality and curriculum each afternoon. Teachers then implemented new strategies with the summer school students. This article describes the program's…

Examines the beliefs of prominent thinkers regarding arts education and arts in learning, highlighting the importance of arts in everyone's education. The role of arts in cognition, equitable access to meaning, student motivation, and cultural representation are explored, with illustrations from visible national projects translating ideas into…

Describes a study that brought together university faculty and seventh-grade teachers to design and implement an instructional intervention to enhance academic learning opportunities for at-risk Hispanic students. Results show a consistent positive comparative academic outcome in reading comprehension, vocabulary, language mechanics, and language…

Discusses the introduction of a course titled, "Ethics and Psychology of Family Life," in Russian public schools. Asserts that teachers are not trained adequately in the content and educational strategies necessary to teach the course. Describes an inservice teacher education course designed to help. (CFR)

Asserts that social studies in North America has been defined most often as fundamentally concerned with preparing students for participation in civic life. Reviews research and summarizes findings on citizenship education in English Canada since 1988. (CFR)

Reports on 29 veteran secondary social studies teachers' reactions and responses to the New Social Studies movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Results indicate the magnitude of the gulf that exists between the concerns of theorists and the issues that are important to teachers. (CFR)

The annual, peer-reviewed collection of reports on innovative approaches to medical education includes 72 brief reports of teaching techniques and approaches, categorized by their emphasis on students, technology use, development of professional skills/attitudes, teaching and assessment strategies, graduate medical education, and continuing…

The Proceedings of the 38th Annual Conference on Research in Medical Education (Washington, DC, October 25-27, 1999) contain 43 research papers on innovative curricula, diagnostic reasoning, student evaluations of faculty, practicing physicians, prediction, licensing examinations, admissions, faculty development, managed care, technology-enhanced…

Discusses the existence of three curricula in medical schools (formal, informal, and hidden) and suggests that educators and administrators investigate the hidden curriculum by examining four areas: institutional policies; evaluation practices; resource-allocation decisions; and institutional "slang." Needed reforms in accreditation standards are…