American public education has gradually evolved from a focus on the "disciplined mind" attainable by only a few to a focus on observable outcomes, purportedly attainable by all. This book offers a historical study of assessment, standards, outcomes, and criticism in U.S. public schools. Chapter 1 provides a selective history of education, focusing…

The Illinois Learning Standards are required learning targets for Illinois students and schools. This guidebook includes the Illinois State Goals for Learning in seven learning areas (as updated from the 1985 Learning Goals), Learning Standards for each of the State Goals, and Learning Benchmarks that define progress at five developmental levels…

Standards-based systems generally require students to meet the performance level specified in order to proceed or be certified. This issue of the Oregon School Study Council (OSSC) Bulletin surveys the types of standards currently being proposed. After an introductory chapter, chapter 2 describes eight components of standards, illustrated with a…

This volume was commissioned to mark the centennial of the North Central Association (NCA) of Colleges and Schools in 1996. It reviews the organization's history and explores the internal culture of the NCA, the role of accreditation, and the unique relationship between educational voluntary associations and the federal government. The book sees…

What does comprehensive or systemic restructuring look like, and how does it affect the students and staff of a high school that undertakes such an effort? This guidebook describes a model for comprehensive high school restructuring, discusses how 10 high schools undergoing restructuring are addressing the 7 critical elements of the restructuring…

More than a decade ago, states in the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) region began raising high school graduation standards to ensure that all students would take the classes they need. Despite improvements, results have not met expectations. Today many more students in the SREB states are taking courses that appear to be more…

A chart/graph format illustrates the overlaps between the national educational goals contained in the Goals 2000: Educate America Act and with "National Agenda for Achieving Better Results for Children and Youth with Disabilities" document. Included among the topics addressed by these two initiatives are the following: increasing…

Highlights of Public Law 103-227 (Goals 2000: Educate America Act) are presented. Contents include: a summary of how this Act will provide a framework for meeting the national education goals for all students, including those with disabilities; selected definitions of terms used in the legislation; and objectives of the eight national education…

This study sought the opinions of teachers, all members of the American Federation of Teachers, on issues such as student discipline, common academic standards, inclusion, professional development, and school reform. The telephone survey of a sample of 800 teachers from kindergarten through Grade 12 was conducted in Spring, 1995. Findings include…

A framework for designing academic standards and for refining these standards through a curriculum- design process is provided in this book. The book is intended as a step- by-step guide than can be picked up and followed by any interested educator. Chapter 1 begins with a brief discussion concerning the need for standards and examines several…

This guide provides ways in which school board members can lead their school systems to higher levels of student achievement. The text attempts to help board members by equipping them with comprehensive information about the various components of student achievement. Part 1 analyzes the purposes of education and defines student achievement, and…

This yearbook offers a view of the key elements of schooling in the 21st century, outlining the nature of the change process that will be needed to create such schools. These key elements are drawn from the experience of educational reform in several countries and reflect a growing consensus about which elements will help all schools achieve both…

This book describes the kind of education system that is needed for the future. The text originated with a study that involved 21 leaders in business, education, government, and other fields who identified more than 250 characteristics that would enhance schools' capability in preparing students for a global knowledge/information age. Followup…

Many believe that technology offers the most benefit to students and teachers when it is integrated into the core curriculum rather than being taught as a separate discipline. This publication is intended to assist teachers in incorporating technology into learning activities in mathematics and science. Chapters emphasize issues concerning…

The Colorado Model Content Standards for Mathematics were designed to serve as a guide for school districts as they define standards that will enable every Colorado student to develop the mathematical literacy needed for citizenship and employment in the 21st century. A new vision is provided of the content students should study in order to…