This paper discusses the influence of Indian culture on the creation of Mexican folklore to the end that the inclusion of such knowledge in classes where students are studying Spanish as a second language will make those classes less formal, more interesting, and more meaningful. The author provides many examples of Indian cultural traditions…

This report contains nine papers presented at a conference on methods of improving teaching and teacher education and the role of the universities and professional societies in this effort. The speeches are divided into five sequential levels of "incompetence," denoting increasing involvement and experience with the problem. The report also…

The major portion of this report provides a narrative summary and description of the work of the project, its context, evaluation, and recommendations. The major objectives of this three-year project were to: 1) field test and evaluate new K-12 social studies curriculum project materials, and 2) design a new K-12 social studies framework based on…

This dissertation suggests that the role of social studies teachers should be to introduce new alternatives, values, and ways of thinking in civic education. One thousand three hundred seventy elementary teachers responded to a questionnaire on: 1) background; 2) liberal-conservative attitude; 3) degree of political and professional activity; 4)…

Ambiguity concerning the professional value of the master's degree for graduate students in sociology is discussed. Four factors are identified as contributing to this ambiguity: (1) the lack of uniform standards and requirements for the degree in American higher education; (2) the decline in the prestige of the degree in academic circles; (3) the…

The University of Georgia's Anthropology Curriculum Project (ACP) is viewed in retrospect and certain developments of the project are appraised in light of current school problems. Three questions were asked in an evaluation of the project: (1) can elementary children learn anthropology as a single discipline? (Answer, yes); (2) is there a…

Presents strategies developed for a National Science Foundation grant to improve rural science education by helping rural teachers design an action plan for instructional improvement based on their ideals and goals coupled with a realistic assessment of their teaching situation including the strengths and weaknesses of the rural setting. (JHZ)

Presents findings from studies that provide guidelines to policymakers and administrators on a range of issues related to school improvement. The first set of issues deals with deciding upon the nature of the desired changes. The second set deals with planning how to proceed. One hundred twenty-eight footnotes are appended. (IW)

Salient accomplishments of the education reform movement (public involvement, state action, funding, student achievement, etc.) are outlined and five unanswered questions about its mission, durability, substance, means, and results are discussed. (MSE)

Testing programs enacted by the state legislature are changing and improving Florida's educational system in five areas: (1) setting standards for students; (2) making schools more accountable; (3) creating growth through competiton; (4) evaluating educational programs; and (5) assuring the competency of educators. (BS)

Reports findings of national survey supported by grant from Florida Institute of Government (30 states responding) on questions about legislative initiatives to raise salaries, give cash awards to excellent teachers, hire paraprofessionals, and upgrade certification standards. Warns average science teacher age is mid-40s; retirement will sharpen…

This report by researchers from the Universities of Minnesota and Toronto examines the available evidence and offers educators, policymakers and all citizens interested in promoting successful schools, some answers to these vitally important questions. It is the first in a series of such publications commissioned by The Wallace Foundation that…

To change American high schools, new collective imagination is needed. In an age where the word "teenager" or "adolescent" often inspires fear or frustration, leaders must overhaul the public's attitude about their high school students. In a time when many teachers believe their efforts cannot overcome poverty and other barriers to learning…

Rarely in educational research do researchers have access to data that allow them to empirically explore the impacts of programs on individual student learning over long periods of time. This element of Consortium for Policy Research in Education's (CPRE) evaluation of the America's Choice comprehensive school reform design is one of those…

The Northeast Regional Resource Center (NERRC) convened national and regional technical assistance (TA) providers and State Education Agency (SEA) teams for two days of focused work on teacher quality. The meeting was held at the Learning Center, Marlborough, Massachusetts, May 4-5, 2006. The purpose of the National Center for Improving Teacher…