Presents Atlanta's Superintendent of Public Schools' views on national standards for foreign-language learning. He suggests that all educators promote national standards for foreign-language learning and assessment, despite the resistance they will meet. He states that all children can learn multiple languages, but they must start young, and that…

Lawrence Hardy's lead article details a year of diminished expectations, highlighting teacher shortages, failing teacher competency scores, 12th graders' dismal TIMSS scores, affirmative-action setbacks, and Milwaukee voucher triumphs. Kevin Bushweller probes school violence issues. Others discuss leadership trends, school-success indicators, and…

Discussion of the grading of modified assignments for students with disabilities in inclusive settings focuses on the background of grading practices, the purpose of grades, current grading practices, development of effective grading procedures, and policies and practices. Emphasis is on providing feedback on actual accomplishments and needs. (DB)

Even when complex statistical formulas are used in setting cutoffs for standardized tests, their mathematical precision is no substitute for sound professional judgment. Raising standards or increasing expectations for student learning is not accomplished simply by raising cutoff percentages for performance levels or different grade categories.…

Describes the efforts some states are making to regulate online colleges that lack accreditation. The problem is complicated by the fact that if a state takes a tough approach, the institutions can easily change mailing addresses to obtain degree-granting licenses in other states. Describes some of these colleges and some of the accrediting…

Argues the case for common national standards in K-12 public schools, explains why past national standardization efforts have stumbled, and explores what currently needs to be done as well as the perceived obstacles. The author concludes by explaining why the issue of common national academic standards is related to equality of opportunity. (GR)

Presents a list of accredited Canadian and U.S. programs that offer professional preparation in the fields of parks, recreation, and leisure, explaining why accreditation is important, what the standards are, what the options are, how programs become accredited, who does the accrediting, and what is new in accreditation. (SM)

Explores the concept of curriculum enactment, which calls attention to classroom uses of content and contextual constructions of meaning. The study's methodological framework draws on descriptive, interpretive, evaluative, and thematic dimensions of educational criticism. Two high school English and social studies classes exemplifying curriculum…

Teachers, principals, school systems, parents, and textbook publishers have been blamed for students' failure to meet tougher standards. Instead, expectations for achieving unreasonable state and Goals 2000 standards should be critically examined. Testing state legislators, school board members, administrators, and teachers might illuminate the…

Contends that many national schools are trying to establish an international mindset, while researchers in the field of International Education have found little uniformity in such institutions. Asserts that meeting standards, such as those of the Alliance for International Education, would provide a clearer idea of what constitutes quality for…

Though high-stakes testing is one of the worst school reform ideas circulating today, states are increasingly making them the focus of school improvement strategies, assuming that the threat of severe penalty pressures students and teachers to improve performance. The paper explains why this theory is flawed, noting that many building blocks…

Discusses current technology standards for teacher preparation programs. Describes the standards, performance profile, and statement of basic principles/actions developed by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE). Addresses the program standards developed by…

Characteristics of professions are identified, and based on those, adventure education is judged to be in its childhood. Development of standard curricular components of an adventure education degree would be a major step toward professionalization. Research would be stimulated, prospective students could use curricular standards for choosing…

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will loosen its academic standards for college athletes with learning disabilities. By agreement with the Justice Department, the NCAA will certify special education classes offered to high school students with learning disabilities toward its initial-eligibility requirements, rather than…

Mini-field trips to the boiler room and bus garage at a South Dakota elementary school increased student interest in their school and community and resulted in increased attendance. Photographs, interviews, and a student-produced book on the trips reinforced student interest and provided the means to integrate the curriculum and incorporate…