Describes the successful integration of the rigorous International Baccalaureate program, begun in 1958 in Geneva, Switzerland, into the curriculum of a small high school near Washington, D.C. (JBM)

Athletics can be a meaningful part of a liberal education when games are played for their own sake and not for conquest or money. Presidential leadership in the reform of collegiate athletics is discussed. (MLW)

The proliferation of accrediting agencies, agencies overreaching their authority, and the changes ahead in professional accreditation in the health professions are discussed. There are almost as many accrediting groups in the health-related areas as in all other areas combined. (MLW)

Arguments in favor of policies of preferential treatment for minority groups in higher education are subjected to philosophical analysis. (GW)

Reviews state and federal court cases involving the admission, grading, and dismissal of college students according to academic standards established by the faculty. Concludes that the courts have generally refused to overturn faculty decisions based on purely academic standards. (JG)

Academic Content Standards are statements of what students are expected to know and be able to do at specified grade levels. Standards serve several important functions and roles. This document contains the following sections: (1) Overview; (2) Guidelines and Forms; and (3) Subject Area Documents. The following subject areas are included: (1)…

For a long time, independent schools have relied primarily upon peer-review accreditation for the purpose of accountability. Akin to the process used by colleges and universities, libraries and hospitals, school accreditation via a reputable accrediting organization is thorough, rigorous, and professional. It is rooted in two underlying…

This first-ever thorough report reviews academic standards in world history in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine whether we are setting the solid, challenging expectations for our schools and children that will equip the next generation with the skills and knowledge it will need. The report, written by renowned historian…

This is the second in a series of issue briefs to be written for The Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement during 2006. In this issue brief, the author examines what recent research says about high school dropouts and explains the powerful role schools can play in keeping students on track to graduate. The latter includes…

The establishment of the "three-dimension-in-one" objectives in the new curriculums has changed the "knowledge-centered" objective model in the traditional teaching syllabuses. This change will cause the transformation of knowledge learning ideology, i.e. from stressing the explicit knowledge acquisition to concerning the value of tacit knowledge.…

This glossary is a tool to help teachers better understand the language of social studies. It was not created to be a study guide for vocabulary tests, as learning social studies vocabulary is best done in context. The glossary is for use in conjunction with the social studies portion of Michigan's Clarifying Language in Michigan Benchmarks (MI…

This is a summary of external recognition achieved by the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST). Data were collected as part of the institution's accreditation efforts and included information on three types of external recognition: (1) formal accreditation or program evaluation; (2) other external recognition of a…

This booklet offers a succinct and comprehensive structure for making geography an integral part of student experience across the grade levels. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and understanding of geography principles. The scope and sequence presented in the booklet shows that, as a result of national standards, geographic education is moving…

In this era of accountability and high-stakes testing, school leaders must find more sophisticated ways to help all students succeed. But how can districts make adequate yearly progress without a coherent system for addressing state standards? In "From Standards to Success", education professor Mark R. O'Shea introduces the Standards Achievement…

Many excellent teachers already work in the schools. Unfortunately their work regularly goes unrecognized and unrewarded. As a consequence, many first-rate practitioners leave the schools and others who could be exceptional teachers never consider teaching. Worse still, the knowledge and skills of the fine teachers who remain often are…