Public Agenda's recent study debunks five myths: only parents support the public schools; people think their community schools are performing well; those criticizing schools are clinging to an idealized past; people care little about poor, minority students' academic success; and most Americans distrust academic standards and standardized testing.…

Teaching portfolios are not just scrapbooks of random assignments and student work samples, but represent teachers' evolving reflections and analyses measured against rigorous standards. Thoughtful reflection, not a color printer, is the key to portfolio success. Tips on assembling suitable "artifacts" and handling anxiety and time…

Compares the origins, curricular and pedagogical content, and impact of the new math and standards-based reform movements, describing: events leading up to this new math era and characteristics of representative curriculums; the demise of the movement; the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' standards-based reform movement; and reactions…

Asserts that accountability in charter schools is largely a political issue and not a technical, instrumental question as the rhetoric suggests. Drawing on Texas student performance data and interviews with key state policymakers, the paper concludes that viewing accountability in charter schools as a technical issue ignores the larger political…

Describes experiences at Western Illinois University where faculty members in the humanities have developed a successful approach to assessing general education learning in the humanities. The approach (CATS, or classroom assessment techniques) stresses faculty participation and collaboration. A table lists assessment techniques for nine…

Discusses current issues in quality assessment in higher education in the United Kingdom especially the development of discipline based generic threshold standards to ensure that graduates have the requisite levels of skills. Considers the necessary characteristics of such standards and suggests that standards should be part of quality assessment.…

Documents the development of a system of assessment in physical education that is practical for implementation in a large, urban school system, focusing on: conditions affecting student assessment and record keeping; course-related assessment; and documenting the assessment process. The paper emphasizes that assessment of progress toward standards…

Reviews the development of the Maryland Virtual High School (MVHS) of Science and Mathematics, which provides science resources, mentoring, and support for Internet collaboration by teachers and students. Describes how MVHS teams organize teachers and schools statewide. Discusses lessons learned from the MVHS, highlighting the MVHS CoreModels…

Reviews standards and accountability initiatives since 1989, including critiques of the assumptions underlying their use and of the emphasis on standardized testing. Introduces the value-added assessment model used in Tennessee as an alternative approach. (Contains 20 references.) (SK)

Explores the story of a former mathematics profesor at Temple University who says he was fired because he upheld academic standards; the college says he graded too hard. (EV)

Discusses the role of the integrated curriculum approach to middle school education as educational standards become more detailed and discipline specific. Considers the value of merging curriculum integration and standardization as well as the value of an integrated approach to inclusion of special needs students and to meeting and exceeding…

Considers how recent research shows that critics of the middle school concept may have strong grounds for their concerns about a lack of focus on standards and achievement. Notes that the same research suggests new directions for reform that are diametrically opposed to the "solutions" advocated by many middle school critics. (SG)

A parallel may be drawn between pressure to perform in sports and pressures on schools to perform. Schools, like athletes, are often tempted to use artificial performance-enhancing substances. Application of such measures (prescribed standards, devolution, and fads) leads to undesirable consequences. Alternatives are suggested. (Contains 26…

Urges educators to make the Ohio Proficiency Tests work for their program rather than against it. Claims that by placing the learner outcomes of the test into an inquiry-based context, it is possible to structure classrooms so that teachers do not compromise teaching and learning but students still do well on the tests. (NH)

Discusses the program called "Sounds of the Desert" that celebrates the Southwest indigenous culture and focuses on understanding music in relation to history and culture. Emphasizes the study of Mariachi music that is being taught alongside band, orchestra, and chorus from the third grade to senior high in many Tucson (Arizona) schools.…