This article presents reconstructionism (the process of critique and reformulation of practice) as a useful way to design curriculum in inclusive schools. Theoretical foundations and the use of learner-centered, process-oriented, and communication-based instructional approaches are proposed as promising practices in curriculum design for diverse…

The British debate over whether college teaching faculty should also be allowed to test their students, or to participate in curriculum design, is examined in the context of the history of British higher education. The evolution of an external, relatively standardized testing system to promote consistency in achievement standards is chronicled.…

A study analyzed reasons why an introductory chemistry course serves as a gatekeeper that governs enrollment at Denmark's Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University. It concluded that admission procedures and criteria, the market economy model for higher education, and curriculum structure emphasizing pure science as foundation for biological…

The Mohawk College diploma program in occupational therapy featured problem-based small group learning and nontraditional fieldwork placements. When Mohawk's program was phased out in 1986, its philosophy was integrated into new bachelor's degree programs at McMaster University. (SK)

A curriculum for teacher leadership is most potent at the inservice or professional development level. Good principal preparation programs can also be good teacher leadership programs if they capitalize on experience and adult learning principles. The University of Washington's Danforth educational leadership program has programmatic commonplaces…

This article describes the 1997 Summer Gifted Program at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, a program designed to provide 102 gifted junior secondary schools students with enrichment courses and activities. The program's identification and selection procedures, organization of classes, curriculum, teacher selection and training, and evaluation…

Discusses using children's literature to introduce mathematical concepts to middle school students. Provides an annotated list of novels and recommends development of concepts, processes, and attitudes to motivate students' intellectual explorations. (JPB)

Explains Knowledge Integration Environment (KIE) activities which are designed to promote lifelong science learning. Describes the partnership process that guided the design as well as the Scaffolded Knowledge Integration (SKI) framework that gave the partnership a head start on creating effective materials. (Contains 52 references.) (Author/YDS)

Considers the cooperative nature of the implementation of arts education in the Saskatchewan schools. Provides information on the beginning of arts education in Saskatchewan. Discusses the components of the arts education curriculum, the evaluation of the curriculum, and the successes and challenges throughout the process of implementing arts…

Describes a whole-class strategy called Imagine, Elaborate, Predict, and Confirm designed to improve reading comprehension and writing among middle school students. Reviews research and describes modeling, prereading, reading, post reading, and follow-up stages for classroom procedures. Includes sample lessons for science, literature, and social…

Presents some easy ways to individualize instruction in the classroom. Examines the use of dialogue journals as modeled in "In The Middle: New Understandings About Writing, Reading, and Learning" (Atwell, 1998) as a means of differentiating reading instruction for individual seventh-grade students. Examines how the teachers used the dialogue…

This article addresses the ongoing need to access the power of self-determination. A definition of self-determination is provided, along with a description of key components. Examples are provided for implementing effective self-determination skills though the use of a case study, an action plan, and list of best practices. (Contains references.)…

Examines African-American kindergartners' intrinsic motivation in the context of an emergent writing task in both autonomy-supportive and controlling interactions. Finds: (1) in the autonomy-supportive context, children demonstrated more interest in the letter writing task than in the controlling context; (2) the order of the interactions affected…

Investigates a first-year undergraduate program in TESOL consisting of three strands: a language-based course, a theme-based course, and a sheltered-content course. Learners rated different aspects of their development in language, skills, and strategies--as well as motivational factors--over two semesters. Author/VWL)

An Australian study examined regular classroom teachers' (n=72) attitudes to additional classroom support, both curriculum and personnel, for students with mild and severe intellectual disability. Teachers perceived a significant difference between the need for additional personnel support for students with mild and severe intellectual disability,…