This theme issue of "Basic Education" considers the importance of studying and comparing student work and educational practice in different countries, in particular as a vehicle to further the professional development of teachers. The first article, "International Studies of Education: Why Should We Care?" (William H. Schmidt;…

This teacher's guide accompanies "Innovations," a comprehensive, interactive curriculum for infants from birth to 18 months. The "Innovations" program is based on the view that curricula for young children should involve thinking and planning for everything that can contribute to child development as well as the teacher's relationship with the…

This self-directed teacher's guide accompanies "Innovations," a comprehensive, interactive curriculum for toddlers from 18 to 36 months. The "Innovations" program is based on the view that curricula for young children should involve thinking and planning for everything that can contribute to child development as well as the teacher's relationship…

This document is comprised of three 2000 issues of a newsletter for Illinois early childhood program directors, providing information on current issues in early childhood education. Regular features in each issue include: "The Director's Toolbox," delineating practical suggestions for directors related to program policies and staff…

The mission of the National Writing Project (NWP) is to improve writing and learning in the nation's schools. Through its professional development mode, the National Writing Project recognizes the primary importance of teacher knowledge, expertise, and leadership. Through its extensive network of teachers, the National Writing Project seeks to…

The mission of the National Writing Project (NWP) is to improve writing and learning in the nation's schools. Through its professional development model, the National Writing Project recognizes the primary importance of teacher knowledge, expertise, and leadership. Through its extensive network of teachers, the NWP seeks to promote exemplary…

The mission of the National Writing Project (NWP) is to improve writing and learning in the nation's schools. Through its professional development model, the National Writing Project recognizes the primary importance of teacher knowledge, expertise, and leadership. Through its extensive network of teachers, the NWP seeks to promote exemplary…

From scholarly discourse to the latest issues in readers' advisory services, this guide provides up-to-date information on the many challenges of the practice, as well as on interdisciplinary directions, continuing education, and the gap in graduate professional education for readers' advisory. The book's 16 chapters are organized into three main…

Over the last 20 years, K-12 schools have spent millions of dollars equipping their schools with the latest technologies, but often without a thoughtful plan of how their use would impact learning and teaching. What is important is how the technology is integrated with the instructional program. To ensure that technology dollars have an impact on…

The high expectations for scientific literacy for all students demands a certain quality of science education in lower secondary education. This program focuses on supporting teachers in implementing this new curriculum. There are three interconnecting components of the program: (1) curriculum resources; (2) professional development; and (3)…

This paper describes an early childhood Professional Development School (PDS) partnership between an all kindergarten elementary school and a comprehensive state university, focusing on the process of collaboration between partners. The process began in the spring 2002 semester, with the school principal inviting the university faculty and PDS…

This investigation examined whether the professional trainers could benefit from a needs analysis course in which real cases from various organizations were used and all the learning activities and materials were geared closely to the learning expectations and preferences of adults. Specifically, this study attempted to find out whether the use of…

How can instructional designers create executive education, seminar style (non-credit) courses that are short (one to two hours) but still provide a meaningful learning experience for managers and executives in an organization? Engaging and motivating learners in short courses without traditional assessment formats or external motivators such as…

The National Writing Project (NWP) at Work monograph series describes NWP work, often shared informally or in workshops through the NWP network, and offers detailed chronological accounts for sites interested in adopting and adapting the models. In 1991, an educational innovation, the National Writing Project in Vermont (NWP-VT) began its first…

This report describes some of the new demands on school leaders and identifies what schools, districts, states, and the federal government can do to strengthen the ability of principals and other educators to become instructional leaders. It begins by offering different definitions of instructional leadership and describing standards that provide…