Discusses geography teaching, past and present, by focusing on ideas of Russian anarchist, Peter Kropotkin, and then describing Forms 5 to 7 of the New Zealand syllabus. Reviews the syllabus stressing that it is successful in providing ways to organize knowledge, but is less so on research as an orderly intellectual activity. (CMK)

A study examined state legislative and policy provisions for gifted students and state efforts to address the seven initiatives outlined in U.S. Department of Education's "National Excellence: A Case for Developing America's Talent." Findings indicate some progress in teacher preparation, enhanced curricular standards, and efforts to match world…

This article links standards-based goals and objectives to district standards using three cornerstones: the development of one belief system, a common understanding of the district's standards, and the development of a working relationship with general education. A district-wide model project of accountability for students with disabilities is…

Describes a professional development project called the Learning Network, launched in 1998. The Learning Network can serve as a model for the integration of technology with interdisciplinary curriculum development and for the creation of a virtual museum. Discusses how the Learning Network incorporates the Massachusetts's learning standards. (CMK)

Standardized test results are skewed by family socioeconomic status. Until top-down, corporate-style testing is eliminated, genuine reforms like cooperative learning and multi-age classrooms will be doomed. Citizens should learn about local tests, talk to neighbors, speak out at school board meetings, write legislators, and challenge proponents to…

This article examines how states are responding to requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for development of large-scale alternate assessment and accountability of learners with significant disabilities. It stresses the need for a deliberate process that focuses on achieving meaningful outcomes within the context of…

Describes the National Action Program for information and communication technologies in Swedish classrooms that was developed to help safeguard equivalent standards and quality between schools. Topics include the national curriculum; inservice teacher training; Internet connections; and email. (Author/LRW)

Equity as absence of discrimination is an outdated concept and a measurement nightmare. Focusing on (academic) results can strengthen educational equity and contribute to economic opportunity; in fact, quality and equity go together. California's concentration of resources on professional development should help more students meet higher…

Argues that the legitimacy of accreditation in teacher education is rooted in political consensus, power, and scholarship. Because these roots are fragile, there is no accepted concept of educational malpractice. The legitimacy of accreditation should be rooted in scholarly evidence that the program has fulfilled the claim that its graduates are…

Describes "Storypath," a lesson plan framework that integrates social studies curriculum with the basic elements of a story. Outlines a three-week history unit, "The Coming of the American Revolution," created with "Storypath." Discusses the correlation between Storypath and the Michigan content standards and…

Views the 1994 national civics standards document as a challenging frame of vital themes and questions for school curricula in the humanities and social sciences. The author considers why this set of standards may be the most important one for schools and why they may be the most difficult to implement, even by motivated school administrators. (GR)

Notes that early childhood teachers need to encourage language and literacy development in a culturally responsive way, by acknowledging students' home culture, encouraging collaboration between students of different backgrounds, and setting the same standards of achievement for all students. Provides examples of culturally responsive learning…

Issues related to the establishment of formal standards for student achievement on large-scale assessments are discussed, and two approaches to standard setting that have been used in Saskatchewan (Canada) are described. In spite of the general success of these programs, numerous issues to consider in future evaluations are raised. (SLD)

The articles in this special section discuss emerging national standards and chart future developments for secondary curricula in health, physical education, arts, music, family and consumer sciences, technology, science education, business education, and social studies. Emphasis is on reform efforts, knowledge development, curriculum frameworks,…

Current developments in the delivery of advice, guidance, and counselling to students in higher education are outlined. A range of possible consequences for higher education of the introduction of occupational standards in the advice, guidance, and counselling field is identified. Issues that higher education institutions and awarding bodies will…