This paper reviews the data collection procedures and results from direct observations, interviews, and surveys that are part of the documentation from the District of Columbia Public Schools' (DCPS) effort at ongoing systemic change effort. Using qualitative and quantitative techniques, several professional development activities were examined by…

These papers examine the sociocultural approach to curriculum design, which provides minority and working class students with the same privileges that middle class students have (instruction that puts their knowledge and experiences at the heart of learning). It presents the theoretical framework for linking students' lives with curriculum and…

This book is designed for overextended librarians and for those who are looking for fresh approaches to what they have been doing for years. The intent in the book is to incorporate traditional techniques, such as storytelling and puppetry, with the use of technology, particularly the Internet--many different learning styles are incorporated to…

This issue of ENC Focus is organized around the theme of educational change. It intends to provide teachers with practical resources and suggestions for implementing reform ideas in the classrooms. Featured articles include: (1) "There Can Be No Improvement Without the Teacher" (Michael Fullan and Andy Hargreaves); (2) "Changing…

The goal of this series of guides is to show Texas educators what components of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum are eligible for testing on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) and end-of-course tests. This guide contains information for the end-of-course tests administered for the following subjects: Algebra…

The purpose of this paper is to report on the progress of work done by the Consortium for Policy Research in Education on developing valid yet efficient measures of instructional content and its relationship to assessment and standards. The goal is to help develop new methodologies to assess the relationships between what is taught and what is…

This paper reports on an ongoing effort of the Vermont Mental Health Performance Indicator Project (PIP) to examine the relevance and utility of standardized test scores for evaluating community mental health programs. This analysis is of test scores from Vermont's first four years of statewide testing. The study is examining anonymous…

This report examines performance differences between Asian, Black, Hispanic, and White students in Delaware on the mathematics portion of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study-Repeat (TIMSS-R). Data analyses show that the mathematics performance gap across ethnic groups is significant. The lowest 100 Black and White performers were…

This document presents the revised Arkansas Science Curriculum Framework (1999), which replaces the Science Curriculum Framework of 1994. Three strands--physical science systems, life science systems, and Earth science/space science systems--were identified using an integrated approach to provide guidance in the science curriculum. A glossary and…

This document explains the Arkansas science benchmarks for grades 5-8 which were developed to provide guidance to science teachers. The content standards for three strands--physical science systems, life science systems, and Earth science/space science systems--were identified based on grade levels. (YDS)

This document contains the following papers on mathematics from the SITE (Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education) 2002 conference: (1) "Teachers' Learning of Mathematics in the Presence of Technology: Participatory Cognitive Apprenticeship" (Mara Alagic); (2) "A Fractal Is a Pattern in Your Neighborhood" (Craig N. Bach); (3)…

This document contains the following papers on science from the SITE (Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education) 2002 conference: (1) "Color & Light: Design and Evaluation of a Multimedia-Case for Elementary Teacher-Education" (Peter Blijleven and Ellen van den Berg); (2) "Standards-Based Design of Technology-Integrated Science…

Is educational technology effective in increasing student learning? If technology is an effective tool in the classroom, how can teachers best be trained to use it appropriately? An experiment was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a constructivist math class utilizing computer technology as well as other tools. The study occurred in a…

Intended for parents as a companion to the Alberta Curriculum Guides, this summary uses an "at a glance" schematic to list the curricular goals for Kindergarten in Alberta. In addition to English language arts and mathematics, the goals cover creative and cultural expression, physical skills and well-being, personal and social…

The Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS), conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), offers the most comprehensive picture available of the education system in the United States. The aim of this study is to show the potential value of a linkage between SASS and data on student academic achievement. To achieve this aim, the…