This article argues for the development of curriculum reform and graduation requirements that will help students gain and demonstrate the variety of skills and attitudes necessary to survive and function in our society. (JMF)

At the fall 1996 Education Summit, 40 governors and 45 business leaders called for higher student achievement standards. This article provides some historical background for the standards-based education movement and introduces essays exploring the movement from various perspectives. Although some educators remain skeptical, standards-based…

The standards movement is in a state of crisis. Although states have made progress in developing and implementing standards, some standards-driven reforms and takeover sanctions represent significant threats to students and educators. Principals should focus on new opportunities to become instructional leaders, help teachers use standards to…

School-district central-office administration is responsible for creating the structure and framework for school staffs to work in the interest of their students. The district needs to establish strategic priorities for the use of funds. Schools should be held accountable for deploying the resources and controlling expenditures. (MLF)

Discusses the collaborative efforts of a team of elementary school and university educators working within the context of a professional development school (PDS) to foster culturally responsible pedagogy, inspire reflective practice, and enhance student performance. Concludes that the PDS experience increases teacher effectiveness and…

Describes implementation of Responsibility Center Management in the School of Science at Indiana University-Purdue University (Indianapolis) to achieve higher academic and research goals and what the institution as a whole has learned about the approach. Argues that this form of decentralized management is a partial antidote to the outmoded,…

Describes reasons for utilizing follow-up studies of elementary and middle school graduates, providing two case studies demonstrating the efficacy of follow-ups. Suggests that such studies improve accountability to customers, provide schools with useful feedback, and actively involve students and parents in evaluation efforts. (MAB)

Notes the importance of evaluation as an element of effective student affairs program planning and administration. Defines evaluation, assessment and research. Discusses whom to evaluate, and how to properly evaluate them. Provides examples of evaluation efforts. (KW)

Overviews the charter-school phenomenon and these schools' basic design. Discusses the government's role in education and identifies various school-choice options. Explores overall autonomy via legislative provisions and examines empirical evidence on charter schools' innovative features, teacher and student characteristics, and parental contracts…

Provides a context for discussing the function of a teachers' code of conduct in Scotland. Addresses the purpose of a code of conduct, what form it would take, where it would originate, what the content would be, the status of a code of conduct, and how a code of conduct would influence both professional practice and professional identity. (LP)

Summarizes results of an opinion survey of governors' aides, legislative chairs of education committees, higher education finance officers, and campus institutional researchers on the use, effects, and future of performance reporting. (EV)

Provides state and campus policymakers' views on the importance and appropriateness of the most common indicators used in state and campus performance reports. (EV)

Explores efforts to reform physical education, noting why they might not have succeeded in the past; examining the general and physical education reform literature with attention to the current standards, assessment, and accountability reform movement prevalent in most states; developing themes facilitating South Carolina's effort to gain support…

Describes how South Seattle Community College (Washington) is addressing the challenge of portraying the variety of assessment efforts that are occurring across all levels--institutional, departmental, and individual course/classroom--in a way that helps the college address meaningful improvement goals at the same time. Contains four references…

Discusses the history, struggles, and successes of assessment work done at Tacoma Community College (TCC) (Washington). Demonstrates the state and national work TCC has accomplished and the partnerships that have been formed with other institutions as a result of the work. Offers assessment grid example. (NB)