This article discusses how one middle school social studies teacher balances differentiated instruction, best practices, and state-mandated accountability. Recommendations include: begin with the end in mind; teach conceptually; think of the standards as providing useful scaffolding; limit and differentiate test-taking strategies; and let data…

Presents the background to the standards movement in U.S. education, asserting that it has had a negative impact on teacher education and teacher education accreditation. The article describes a recent accreditation review of the application of an overly narrow understanding of standards and legitimate evidence, and it suggests a possible…

Describes the public's desire for teaching quality and teacher accountability. Asserts that while teachers and teacher educators must be accountable for their work, this work cannot be determined by narrow conceptions of teaching quality and student learning focused exclusively on test scores and ignoring the complexity of teaching and leaning,…

Educators are once again called upon to resolve a national dilemma: to recognize and legitimize differences, yet construct an overarching identity that incorporates all voices into one. Strong leadership, strategic planning, and an unwavering commitment to children must be the touchstones of educational decisions. (Contains 17…

The achievement gap persists within U.S. classrooms. Although teachers do make a difference in terms of what and how much students achieve, educational practitioners and policy makers would be well served to consider social inequities created by demographic realities, instructional practices that engender broad student participation, and…

Analysis of selected set of charter-school research reports through late 2001. Finds, for example, that charter schools are more autonomous than other public schools, but that the jury is still out on some of the most important questions, including those about innovation, accountability, equity, and outcomes. Provides a framework for examining…

Reading scores of 461 students with learning disabilities were followed across 5 years as the district implemented a state-mandated accountability plan and large scale testing program. Analyses indicate that the district's performance with students with learning disabilities improved in terms of mean reading score and percent proficient in reading…

Proposes a model for managing a community college's accountability environment and shows how it can be applied. Reports that the model is premised on the pluralistic perspective of accountability (Kearns), and uses Christensen's value network for building the community college model. (Contains 37 references.) (AUTH/NB)

Discusses accountability in U.S. K-12 public education today, describing three ideas of accountability: trust the experts (within the system reform), trust but verify (standards based reform), and trust the customers (free market reform). Examines political obstacles, mixed results of the various reform strategies, lessons learned about…

Argues that under certain conditions, high standards and demanding assessment can hurt rather than help low-achieving students. Discusses three practices educators and policymakers should avoid: requiring students to repeat a grade, placing students in low-track classes, and holding students accountable for material not yet taught. (Contains 13…

Examines differences between old state-designed norm-referenced tests and new tests aligned with the curriculum. Concludes that new state tests are very similar to old ones. Discusses impact of new high-stakes standardized tests on students and teachers. Argues the new wave of standardized testing is not the answer to improving student…

Discusses several reasons teachers give for leaving or considering leaving the profession: Pressures of increased accountability, workload issues, student attitudes, lack of parent support, tension between faculty and administration, and low status of the profession. Suggests strategies to improve working conditions for teachers. (Contains 23…

Argues for substantially reducing the power of corporations to influence the organization, content, and assessment of public education. (Contains 19 references.) (PKP)

Site-based school management opens the possibility of problems in districtwide risk management and liability prevention programs. Describes a program to transfer prevention law and risk management strategies to individual school sites. Cautions that only duly authorized agents of local school boards can commit boards to contractual obligations.…

Reviews a study attempting to conceptualize implementation efforts of contracted renewal in Netherlands primary schools. Bestowing contract status on schools is an important instrument for implementing public policy. Becoming a contracted party in a policy process requiring intensified accountability and a time-bound renewal framework induces…