Argues that, no matter how good and well-intentioned new curriculum and assessment reforms are, they will fail unless there are real-world consequences that motivate students to work hard in school. Educational systems fail because what students want, i.e., college admissions, jobs, and job training, are disconnected from school work. (GLR)

Provides examples of what content standard and a corresponding curriculum framework might look like in two subjects: world history and English. It examines how one teacher might translate these concepts into engaging lessons. Integration of subjects and relevance to students' lives are emphasized.(GLR)

The Ventures in Education program, begun 10 years ago, includes honors-level curriculum, advanced placement courses, summer workshops, enrichment, a longer school day, and continued counseling and guidance. It has demonstrated that poor, disadvantaged high school students can learn to excel in demanding courses of study. (MSE)

A review of the history of regulation in federal student financial aid programs indicates dramatic change and growth in the last three decades. Regulations of particular importance to aid administrators are highlighted, and two conclusions about recurring concern for the deservedness of aid recipients are drawn. (Author/MSE)

Kohn believes the "tougher standards" movement is incompatible with personalized learning, excellence, and marginalized kids' interests. Horizontal standards that shift how teaching and learning happen in classrooms are terrific, but vertical standards using traditional pedagogy are macho and mindless. Kids need freedom to design their…

Describes a framework for teaching British National Curriculum subjects to pupils with profound learning difficulties. Discussion focuses on curriculum adaptations, educational rationale for subject selection, insights from subject specialists, and integration of therapies, health care, and emotional support within education. (DB)

Americans' commitment to local control, expanded educational opportunities, and form over substance have made standards a hard sell. Education is becoming a private good to serve consumers' individual interests, not a public good serving broader public interests. A consumerist approach to standards stresses schools' sorting function. (MLH)

This article focuses on proposed reforms for the continuing professional development stage of the teacher preparation continuum. It includes information on performance standards practicing special educators will need to address, proposed changes in licensure and certification, and proposed reforms in continuing professional development…

Discussion of high school graduation requirements for students with disabilities focuses on legal and practical issues including graduation standards, minimum competency testing, and termination of services. Recommendations are offered to help school districts establish a process for graduating students with disabilities within the legal framework…

Suggests that the laissez-faire market principles have failed to provide quality schooling in Macau (China) and that education as a public good requires considerable state intervention. Explores schooling in Macau as a case study to indicate how public goods and private services are neither polar opposites nor mutually exclusive. (CMK)

Examined the perceptions of Professional Development School (PDS) stakeholders to investigate the match between the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Draft Standards and PDS practice. Focus group data indicated that many aspects of the standards were successfully reflected, though some practices were not. Results…

Social and economic instability accompanying the dissolution of the USSR and the creation of the Republic of Slovenia from the northern portion of the former Yugoslavia resulted in higher demand for, and participation in, secondary and tertiary education. Describes changes in educational policy that both facilitated and resulted from this…

Describes a lesson plan that uses Main Street images of three towns to encourage students to recognize and compare human and physical characteristics of places. The lesson teaches the geographic concepts of site (absolute location) and situation (relative location) as well as introducing students to urban geography. (MJP)

Technology will not save us from scarce resource problems by creating "virtual schools." Technology is an expensive investment, adding value more than reducing costs. Social capital is the collateral necessary for human capital development. Our education system must consider its academic and cultural roles, not just provide foot soldiers…

Examines perceived incompetence within Texas colleges of education, discussing: whether schooling promotes equality; prior analyses of the issue; grade inflation and social promotion; and student teachers' attitudes and curricular preferences. Overall, admissions standards are too low, resulting in marginal teachers who retard students' academic…