This monograph is designed assist to teacher preparation institutions that want to use standards of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) to help teachers prepare for their National Board Certification process and simultaneously improve their advanced programs for teachers. Part 1, "Rationale for Using NBPTS Standards as a…

This guide summarizes the accountability requirements of Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), presenting a five-step process to help states decide whether schools are making adequate yearly progress (AYP): states determine what all students should know and be able to do; states calculate the starting point for AYP; states set specific…

"The Achiever" is published semi-monthly during the school year for parents and community leaders. Each issue contains news and information about school improvement in the United States. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) "Spellings: New 'Commonsense' Approach to Implementing 'NCLB'"; (2) "The Variable…

During the past 10 years, there has been a movement among state education departments to develop academic content standards, standards-based assessments of student achievement, and standards-related high school graduation requirements for students. This Digest discusses: (1) state content standards in history; (2) standards-based student…

This document addresses how well ARC's computerized placement tests (Compass) assist individuals in reaching informed decisions about enrolling in selected courses, including English composition, reading, mathematics, and ESL. The document addresses the question of whether Compass scores add any relevant information in the decision-making process…

This report summarizes findings of current research supported by the Office of Special Education Programs on effective mathematics instruction for students with disabilities. The first brief article notes that most special education teachers do not have sufficient knowledge about the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards and this…

This paper describes an evaluation of Children Achieving, a systemic reform agenda designed to improve the Philadelphia public schools. Led by a dynamic superintendent, David Hornbeck, and central office personnel, Children Achieving focused on school-level accountability and significant increases in funding for public education. Between the…

The great paradox of school reform, according to the author of this short speech, is that, on the one hand, states mandate that student performance must improve; on the other hand, states do not act to improve the performance of educators. Even when the policies are the most progressive and the standards of the state are of the highest quality,…

In grade 11, students use the life and work of Cesar E. Chavez as a case study to trace the major historical eras and events of the 20th century. Students start by studying the Chavez family at the beginning of the 20th century, learning about them as they struggled to acquire a farm in Arizona and raise a family. They also learn how they faced…

The purpose of this professional development manual is to provide materials and activities for developing and using assessments in social studies. The manual came about through the efforts of the 25 state consortium Comprehensive Social Studies Assessment Project (CSSAP) to make the alignment of assessments, curricula, and instructional programs…

This document is designed to facilitate the state of Wisconsin's Planning Curriculum in Mathematics. Planning Curriculum in Mathematics complements Wisconsin's Model Academic Standards for Mathematics and puts into action the standards in the latter document. It is hoped that these materials will serve as springboards for contemplation by…

Grade 2 students learn about the people who supply food for the nation. Students study about different foods and the many individuals, from the farmer to the consumer, who are involved in bringing the products to market. The unit, which should take 8 weeks to implement, is designed to help students develop an appreciation and respect for these…

This unit focuses on California's growth as an agricultural and industrial power in the 20th century and includes the impact of key people and key historic events. The unit is divided into 4 overlapping topics and should take 10 weeks to implement. Students examine how California became a power by tracing the transformation of the California…

One of the best ways to engage children in history is by involving them in activities related to their own lives' experiences. This unit gives students an opportunity to study history through a familiar and relevant topic: families. Suggested time for unit implementation is 8 weeks. Students explore family roots, traditions, and how daily life has…

The North Carolina State Board of Education, as part of the Quality Assurance Program, initially established a computer proficiency requirement for diplomas issued to the Class of 2000. In October of 1995, the Board modified the requirement by making it effective beginning with the graduating Class of 2001. Students who were in grade eight for the…