Critiques a study comparing National Board for Professional Teaching Standards-certified teachers with those who were unsuccessful in their efforts. Results found that National Board Certification made a difference. This paper suggests that after considerable cost and time, the fundamental question remains unanswered: is the National Board's…

Benchmarks for early childhood education must provide sufficient clarity and direction, pertain to both kindergarteners and preschoolers, specify what knowledge students should be learning, be developmentally appropriate, and reflect student progress. Implementing standards requires educators to address two equally important challenges-teaching…

A study investigated the arithmetic performance of 197 students (grades 3-8) with mild disabilities and 937 controls and data are discussed in terms of student achievement and implications for standards. The mathematics vocabulary of students with mild disabilities was less developed and they had lower performance scores on computation. (Contains…

Addresses the "Virginia History and Social Science Standards of Learning," focusing on its strengths and weaknesses. Discusses the application of the state standards in Fairfax County (Virginia) and the work of the four task force groups. Contends that historians should be involved in educational reform. (CMK)

Describes a Standards-based activity entitled "The Limits of Learning" that is inquiry-based and designed for high school biology classes. The activity concerns how well repetitious material can be learned and improved upon. (YDS)

Discusses perceived problems in the proposed National Standards of Arts Education. According to the author, the greatest concerns are with the political correctness evident in the Standards, its penchant for interdisciplinary studies, and its inflated rhetoric and utopianism. It is suggested that the standards do not take art education seriously…

Presents the case for a consensus-driven approach to setting subject matter standards for history education. The author argues that the National History Standard Project, designed to broaden the scope of U.S. and world history education, has carried out the original intent of its funders, rejected one-sidedness, and achieved a compromise that…

Finds the American system of voluntary accreditation unique worldwide. Traces the development of K-12 and higher education in the United States and efforts since 1870 toward educational standardization. Describes 1873-1909 as a period of confusion and disagreement. Explores the roots of accreditation, the role of accrediting agencies, secondary…

Studies of Texas' testing program, initiated in 1992, identify several factors contributing to improved achievement: alignment with state standards; results that inform instruction; understandable, attainable rating systems that encourage improvements for all populations; balance between school/student accountability; stable, yet improvable…

Describes the early stages of technology planning that include: development of a technology integration task force; evaluation of current faculty levels of technology proficiency, integration, and implementation of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) technology standards within the SUNY Oswego School of Education;…

Describes the "sociological imagination," which suggests an ability to create possible reconstructions of larger social forces which affect peoples' lives, through a story about Muhammad Ali. Discusses the importance of stories and their role in society. Utilizes three more stories to address various issues in relation to literacy…

Provides an overview of the Israeli standards-based curriculum for the teaching of English in Israeli schools. Includes the standards for the four domains of language learning and the standards and benchmarks for one of the domains: social interaction. (Author/VWL)

Legal challenges to counseling students' dismissal that are based on interpersonal or clinical incompetence require sound systematic academic evaluation and adherence to procedural and substantive due process. Presents an examination of professional competency from counselor education and legal perspectives, an evaluation procedure and process,…

Discusses the potential for providing high quality mathematics instruction for all students, addressing four conditions that are necessary for achieving this goal: high quality curriculum; a stable, knowledgeable, and professional teaching community; high quality assessment aligned with curricular goals; and stability and mechanisms for the…

Discusses the value of curriculum integration and developmentally appropriate curriculum in middle school education. Suggests ways to incorporate standards into the integrative curriculum process that includes life skills competencies, prioritizing subject matter standards, organizing staff to teach the hybrid curriculum, and involving students.…