Discusses the early childhood education programs of Finland as a development of the Finnish welfare state. Claims that these programs are related to family policy and are considered part of the educare programs, which tend to be child centered and tied to family values. Discusses the future of the Finnish educational system. (MOK)

Discusses a project that examined literacy development within the context of play in two Reykjavik preschool classrooms. Suggests that preschool teachers should enrich dramatic play with literacy props and print materials. Indicates that incorporating print materials in dramatic play provides a natural extension of children's preschool work and…

Discusses "Te Whariki," the New Zealand Draft Curriculum Guidelines for Early Childhood Education, in relation to historical and cultural contexts. Addresses aspirations of the Maori people for their language and culture to be protected and sustained. Asserts a bicultural imperative for early childhood education curriculum. (BGC)

Offers suggestions for a restructured preservice teacher education curriculum in South Africa and ideas for an integrated, thematic approach to teacher education. Outlines personal and professional characteristics of effective teachers, discusses the aims of teacher education, and proposes a three-year teacher education curriculum that includes…

Argues that the current cohort of teachers is not comfortable with science and avoids teaching science because of ignorance, disinterest, and lack of support from school authorities. Also states that scientists have doubts about the current university curriculum for teachers. (DDR)

A study examined effects of class-wide curricular modification on the engagement and behaviors of six students (ages 13-14) with emotional disturbances, in a self-contained science class. Modifications included providing opportunities for choice making and ensuring activities were of high interest, which resulted in increased engagement and…

A tiered objectives model is recommended that teachers can use in mixed-ability classrooms to raise students' mathematics achievement. Guidelines for developing tiered activities include: identify objectives, create a set of activities for teaching each objective, identify the next level of increasing complexity, and group students according to…

In St. Louis, Missouri, an innovative program has operated for 10 years to identify exceptionally gifted children from area school districts and bring them together in a full-time articulated program that blends acceleration and enrichment. Approximately 50 students in grades 1-12 are enrolled in the Program for Exceptionally Gifted Students.…

The American Association of Dental Schools' guidelines for curriculum design explain the scope of forensic dentistry and interrelationships with other fields, give an overview of the curriculum, and outline suggested primary educational goals, prerequisites, core content, specific behavioral objectives, sequencing, faculty and facility…

The Pennsylvania College of Optometry's experience in implementing problem-based learning, usually used in small classes, in a large group instructional situation in a traditional, subject-based optometric curriculum is described. Development of a modified approach, simulated patient problems, weekly quizzes, patient notes, large- and small-group…

Maintains that the meaningful use of projects necessitates knowledgeable and reflective teachers with the autonomy to make intellectually honest curricular decisions in the best interest of each child. (BB)

Describes an approach to curriculum development that has evolved out of a learner-centered philosophy of second and foreign language teaching. The use of information about and from learners for decision-making at each of these stages is illustrated with data from the Australian Adult Immigrant Education Program. (Author/VWL)

Provides an overview of China's music education system. Notes that there is in Chinese education a different emphasis upon conformity and the individual. Finds a separation between ideals and action in both the Chinese and United States programs. States that efforts to move the Chinese program away from training are still rudimentary. (KO)

Points out influences on and constraints to planning a social studies curriculum for the 21st century. Proposes a curriculum based on five essential concept clusters and presents a breakdown of these concepts using Zimbabwe themes and issues. Recommends innovations in teacher education to accompany the proposed curriculum. (LS)

Asserts that curriculum design has traditionally been left to the experts who have forgotten or lost touch with the children. Explores an autobiographical account by Christopher Nolan, expressing the desire to build a curriculum that is richer, more energetic, and more truthful than the ones in the past. (MG)